Sleep is a critical component of overall health and well-being for people of all ages. This presentation will summarize the evidence for a range of sleep-related public health issues and explore potential solutions. Topics include melatonin use in children, school start times for high schoolers, and daylight savings time transitions.

The evidence for behavioral treatments for insomnia and nightmares will be presented along with recent efforts to combat the shortage of treatment providers. Additionally, strategies for treating polymorbid sleep disorders are discussed. By raising awareness and implementing interventions, we can promote healthier sleep habits and improve overall health across all ages.

Join the Department of Psychology in Kendall College of Arts & Sciences and Tulsa Institute of Trauma, Adversity, and Injustice to hear from Kristi Pruiksma, Ph.D. and associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. She is a licensed clinical psychologist and board certified in behavioral sleep medicine.

Pruiksma completed her doctoral training at The University of Tulsa in 2011 under the mentorship of Professor Joanne Davis and other faculty in the Psychology Department. Pruiksma’s work focuses on investigating and disseminating evidence-based treatment for sleep disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with a focus on active duty military personnel.

She previously served as a research therapist for some of the largest clinical trials of behavioral treatment for PTSD conducted by the STRONG STAR Research Consortium at Fort Cavazos, formerly designated Fort Hood. She has published more than 50 empirically reviewed articles and is currently the principle investigator or co-investigator of multiple project funded by the U.S. Department of Defense.