Television PSAs from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and Super Bowl Champ Aaron Taylor Tackle Sleep Apnea

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and former NFL offensive lineman Aaron Taylor are urging television viewers to “Defend Your Sleep” by talking to a doctor about obstructive sleep apnea – a potentially life-threatening disease involving episodes of complete or partial airway obstruction during sleep. These PSAs arrive at a pivotal time, as a recent letter published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine suggests sleep apnea could exacerbate breathing problems in patients with COVID-19.

Sleep apnea afflicts nearly 30 million American adults, and most of them remain untreated, increasing their risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stroke and Type 2 diabetes. With help from Aaron Taylor, we hope to further educate the community about the warning signs of sleep apnea and demonstrate that many of the damaging effects of the disease can be stopped, and even reversed, through diagnosis and treatment by the sleep team at an accredited sleep center.

In a 30-second PSA, Taylor speaks with studio host Adam Zucker and fellow football analysts Randy Cross and Brian Jones about the sleep apnea warning signs that he experienced. Taylor also urges viewers to get help for sleep apnea in a 15-second PSA.

Please run these PSAs from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine to further increase a much-needed conversation about sleep apnea.

Thank you,

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM)