Investigating the Relationship between Sleep Insufficiency and Sleep Disorders and Chronic Disease
The complete application package including the fellowship descriptions, additional information and the application can be found on our website at http://aptrweb.org/prof_dev/fellowships_PMFP.html. Once at this page select “Download Request for Applications” to view the complete application package as a pdf. document.
Background/History:
The public health investigation of sleep and sleep disorders is important to the mission of the National
Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP) since other chronic
diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and depression, are associated with sleep
disturbance. Reflecting this increased recognition of the importance of sleep and sleep disorders to
public health, the 2008 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS) added a sleep-related
question and the 2009 BRFSS will feature an expanded sleep module. These items will provide a
large community-based assessment of households investigating a wide array of variable pertinent to
health and behavior.
Most recently, NCCDPHP has partnered with the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) to work toward public
recognition of the importance of sleep and the detection of sleep disorders. NCCDPHP has also
developed a website devoted to sleep (www.cdc.gov/sleep) that describes the public health
infrastructure of sleep, delineates prevalent sleep disorders, and summarizes NSF sleep
recommendations by age group and reviews sleep hygiene recommendations.
Fellowship Assignment Description:
The fellow will have the opportunity to collaborate with senior scientists in the Division of Adult and
Community Health, using SAS and SUDAAN to analyze BRFSS and other sleep and chronic disease
data. The fellow will also have the opportunity to manage data, perform multivariable analyses, and
collaborate with senior scientists in the preparation of manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed
journals as well as for scientific presentations.
The Fellow will have the opportunity to participate in the ongoing organizational collaboration between
the CDC, NSF, and NSART. The Fellow will interact with other experienced researchers at CDC
through attendance of various public health seminars and trainings.
The Fellow will reside in Atlanta, with office space, computing equipment, and other materials
provided by the Division of Adult and Community Health, NCCDPHP. Opportunities to travel to
relevant meetings and events, take relevant professional development courses, make site visits, and
to consult with collaborating organizations will be available.
Required and/or Desired Skills and Knowledge:
A doctoral degree in public health or related statistical or behavioral discipline is required. Strong
computer literacy including experience creating and managing datasets and analyzing data using SAS
and SUDAAN is required. Experience and interest in sleep and sleep disorders is preferred.
A willingness to participate as a team member in data management, statistical analysis and
interpretation, manuscript preparation, and in representing CDC in its ongoing collaborative efforts
with NSF and NSART are required.
Expected Benefits:
At the end of this fellowship, the Fellow will have received multidisciplinary training at the national
level in sleep and sleep disorders. Specifically, the fellow will have gained expertise in managing data
sets, performing multivariate analyses, assisting with scientific writing, and giving presentations at
scientific meetings.
The Fellow will also have contributed first-hand to the nation’s public health system, as both the CDC
and NCCDPHP will benefit from an increased understanding and communication of new implications
regarding sleep and sleep disorders. As a result, the Fellow will become well versed in the policy
issues relevant to sleep and sleep disorders affecting the public health infrastructure.
Period of Assignment:
The fellowship will be for a period of one year, with the possibility of extension to a second year
contingent on mutual interest and funding. Start date is slated for June 2009.
