There is mounting scientific evidence – from basic science to population research – that strongly supports sleep as a health imperative. Sleep is essential for physical, mental, and social well-being.
Starting with the Global Sleep Health Task Force, World Sleep Society is now building collaborative networks that reach across the world to advocate for the inclusion of sleep health in public health and policy agendas.
Learn more about our priorities below and sign up for updates to get involved.
Global Sleep Health Task Force
Phyllis C. Zee, MD, PhD (United States) – Chair
Lamia Afifi, MD (Egypt)
Claudio Bassetti, MD, PhD (Switzerland)
Peter Eastwood, PhD (Australia)
Fang Han, MD (China)
Birgit Högl, MD (Austria)
Diane Lim, MD (United States)
Charles Morin, PhD (Canada)
Arezu Najafi, MD (Iran)
Allan I. Pack, MBChB, PhD (United States)
Dalva Poyares, MD, PhD (Brazil)
World Sleep Society Priorities on Global Sleep Health
Support and inform the development of sleep health guidelines
- Collect international sleep health data
- Facilitate discussions among sleep health experts regarding global sleep health
- Build connections with policy decision-makers
Increase the pipeline of sleep medicine professionals
- Facilitate mentorship and training
- Empower young professionals with high-visibility opportunities for contribution & collaboration
Work with organizations and local governments to increase awareness
- Provide sleep health expertise to community health stakeholders
- Promote sleep health public awareness campaigns and activities
Hear from the Global Sleep Health Task Force
There is a critical need for sustained, focused collaboration among international experts, advocates, and policy decision-makers to advance global sleep health. World Sleep Society is providing resources and networking opportunities for this important work.
When considering ‘sleep health across the globe,’ we must account for the many modifiable environmental and social factors that substantially impact sleep and contribute to differential health status across populations. These factors include (but are not limited to) housing, food, and energy insecurity, poor air quality, as well as many types of traumatic childhood experiences across the life course including war and conflict. The challenge is complex, but with international investment and transdisciplinary collaboration, it is entirely possible to advance sleep health across the globe.
Coherent global measures of sleep would present an exciting opportunity to better understand sleep health and track its development.
Sleep is essential to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being at all ages. We should start to think about sleep like we do nutrition and exercise – as a pillar of health and wellness.
Want to Get Involved?
