The Effects of Work Schedule and Sleep Patterns on Caregivers' Health

BACKGROUND. Sleep deficiency (not getting enough sleep) is widespread in American adults and can lead to many harmful health outcomes such as a higher risk of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. Sleep deficiency can also harm cognitive performance, which refers to one's awareness and thinking ability. Sleep deficiency and sleep-related health issues are of high interest among those who have irregular and/or extended work schedules, because such schedules can interfere with normal biological rhythms of sleepiness and wakefulness. PURPOSE. This study will examine the health and cognitive effects of work schedule and sleep patterns in caregivers (such as nurses, laboratory technicians, and non-clinical hospital staff). The investigators hypothesize that the nontraditional, irregular, and extended work hours common in these professions will have adverse health and cognitive effects. The purposes of this protocol are to: * Enroll caregivers into a one year cohort study on the relationships among work schedule, sleep, diet, chronic disease, and cognitive performance. (A cohort study follows a group of participants over time to see how different behaviors or risk factors affect health.) * Collect data from caregivers on work schedule, sleep, diet, chronic disease, and cognitive performance. * Give personalized information and feedback to caregivers about these health factors. * Educate caregivers about healthy diet and exercise choices. * Collect saliva from caregivers for future research on the role of genes in health. (Specimen collection for genetic testing will be offered as a separate option for study participants.) RECRUITMENT. This study will use the Let's Get Healthy! health research and education program (OHSU IRB #3694) as a platform for recruitment and data collection. Caregivers will be invited to participate in a Let's Get Healthy! event and will be given information prior to the event about the cohort study. At the Let's Get Healthy! event, caregivers wil