This year, WSCN proudly sponsored three patient advocates at the SLEEP 2026 conference. Our aim was to amplify the voices of those living with sleep disorders and keep patient perspectives at the heart of conference conversations. Upon returning, the advocates were eager to share how the conference highlighted both the latest advances in sleep medicine and the sense of hope and connection that comes from learning, sharing, and advocating together.

WSCN is grateful to Centessa for the sponsorship of the Pathways to Vitality Scholars Network, which supported patient advocate attendance at the conference.

“Attending SLEEP 2026 was both encouraging and inspiring,” says Tara O’Connor, one of our patient advocates. “One of the things that surprised me most was seeing how much attention is now being given to narcolepsy, idiopathic hypersomnia, and insomnia. Historically, many discussions at sleep conferences seemed heavily focused on sleep apnea, so it was exciting to see greater recognition of other sleep disorders and the unique challenges faced by those living with them.”

Tara O’Connor (left) with fellow patient Sol Briggs at the WSCN booth – where many discussions were shared during SLEEP 2026

A central theme echoed by all three advocates was the hope inspired by advances in research on narcolepsy and sleep disorders.

“One of the most exciting things I learned was about the new orexin agonist medications currently moving through the pipeline for FDA approval. For decades, narcolepsy treatment has largely focused on managing symptoms,” says Rachel Nesmith, another patient advocate. “We have relied on stimulants, wake-promoting medications, nighttime treatments, antidepressants, and lifestyle modifications to help us function. While these treatments can be life-changing, they do not address the root cause of narcolepsy.”

SLEEP 2026 generated a palpable excitement about cutting-edge treatments, including the orexin agonists, in late-stage development. “Hearing researchers and physicians discuss medications designed to replace or mimic [the neuropeptide] orexin felt revolutionary,” Rachel continued. “For the first time, I could envision a future where treatment may target the biological cause of the disease. Listening to presentations about these emerging therapies gave me hope not only for myself but also for future generations diagnosed with narcolepsy.”

This progress represents a broader transformation in sleep medicine, where the needs and experiences of patients are now being prioritized by researchers, clinicians, and industry. At WSCN, we are thrilled to see patient voices being elevated and centered in healthcare practice. 

Rachel Nesmith (left) with Lola Broomhall, WSCN Program Manager, sharing a moment together at the WSCN booth.

SLEEP 2026 brought together professionals, researchers, and advocates from across the sleep industry. It offered attendees an opportunity to share knowledge, connect, and discover advances in sleep medicine. Our advocates valued that sense of community.

“What surprised me most,” says Kerly Bwoga, our third patient advocate, “was how open and welcoming everyone was, including patients, doctors, and researchers. The most meaningful conversation I had was with a fellow patient and researcher who developed narcolepsy after a bus accident. It was validating to see my own journey reflected in hers, especially since I had a head injury as a child.”

Kerly Bwoga (center) in discussion with a conference delegate, alongside WSCN COO Meg Langley (at left).

At SLEEP 2026, the sense of community among patients, caregivers, clinicians, and advocates was undeniable. For many attendees, connecting with others who truly understand the daily realities of living with narcolepsy and other sleep disorders was both validating and uplifting. 

“There is something powerful about being surrounded by people who do not need an explanation for what cataplexy feels like or why excessive daytime sleepiness can be so disabling,” explains Rachel Nesmith.

Sharing stories of perseverance and resilience helped reduce feelings of isolation and foster a spirit of mutual support. As the advocates emphasized, new treatments and research are important, but so are ongoing support and connections within the sleep disorder community.

The growing recognition of patient voices in research and education was another highlight of the conference. Advocates shared how meaningful it was to participate in discussions with researchers, clinicians, and industry partners, where their lived experiences could directly inform studies and the development of new treatments.

Opportunities for patients to join roundtable conversations and panels underscored the shift toward more collaborative, patient-centered care. As Kerly emphasized, “We need to shift how clinicians are trained by incorporating patients into their education.” 

By involving patients more deeply in research and medical training, the sleep medicine community is building stronger understanding and empathy, leading to care that better addresses the real needs of those living with sleep disorders.

Looking to the future, there is much optimism in the sleep community. Advances in research and the development of new treatments inspire hope for more effective therapies and better patient outcomes. Together, the community can help shape a future with better care and quality of life for people with narcolepsy and other sleep disorders.

WSCN’s Pathways to Vitality Scholars Network is a global scholarship and fellowship initiative designed to empower emerging and established voices in wellness, sleep, and circadian health. This program bridges the gaps between knowledge and access, science and practice, day and night, local and global, helping individuals expand their learning, share their insights, and lead transformative change in health and wellbeing.

Find out more and apply for a scholarship by exploring our Pathways to Vitality Scholars Network.

An important note:
These are intended to be helpful tips for improving sleep, circadian and overall health and wellness. However, this guidance is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you have concerns or think you have a sleep problem, please consult your health practitioner for personalized assessment and treatment. Read full medical disclaimer

Hosted on June 13-14th 2026 by the Hypersomnia Foundation in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, #BeyondSleepy is an event designed specifically for individuals living with idiopathic hypersomnia, narcolepsy, and Klein-Levin Syndrome. The annual event provides education, research updates, networking, and community-building opportunities, bringing much-needed support to people living with these rare disorders, as well as their caregivers and clinicians. WSCN attended the event to connect with the community, elevate patient voices, and learn about how to further support the sleep and circadian ecosystem. 

We sent three staff members to host our booth, and provided funding for three patient advocates to attend the event: Kerly Bwoga, Rachel Nesmith, and Tara O’Connor.

Over the two days we enjoyed an array of touching conversations, deep learning, and some tough realisations about how difficult it can be to live with a hypersomnia disorder. It solidified WSCN’s passion for supporting patients in this space, and also for elevating their voices in research, medical education and policy making. We met some incredible clinicians and researchers who are working hard to advance treatment options for hypersomnia disorders, and felt uplifted by how much progress is being made.

We heard about how patients can effectively advocate for themselves in a keynote talk from our own WSCN Board Chair, Dr Anne Marie Morse. We also learned about how wearable technology and new pharmaceuticals are improving quality of life for people – with some exciting new advances in drugs called orexin agonists, which are due to enter the market soon. These drugs assist in restoring the sleep-wake rhythm for people with narcolepsy type 1 – helping them to maintain wakefulness during the day, as well as possibly helping with a cognitive symptom called brain fog. 

Dr Anne Marie Morse giving her keynote “Speaking to your Provider”

We loved witnessing our patient advocates at #BeyondSleepy – seeing them in action reinforced just how important our Scholarships and Patient Support Programs really are. Our three advocates spoke out in plenary sessions, networked with medical providers, joined important discussion groups, and spent time building community and sharing experiences – actions that are deeply impactful and essential for making positive change.

Tara in action with our COO Meg Langley

Patient Advocate, Kerly Bwoga, raising important questions during a keynote session.

• There are exciting new pharmacological treatments for hypersomnia disorders that are improving people’s lives, including sodium oxybates and orexin agonists
• There is positive change in research and healthcare practice with increased awareness of rare sleep disorders like narcolepsy, Klein-Levin Syndrome and idiopathic hypersomnia
• Patient voices are being integrated into research more often
• Caregivers and family members lives are also impacted when living with someone with a hypersomnolence disorder – their experiences should be included in research
• Supportive community is essential for people living with rare disorders – having connection to people who understand and can share experience and wisdom is critical
• The average time from disease onset to diagnosis is still ~15 years, with misdiagnosis a common feature in most patient’s journeys
• Progress is rapid and encouraging, but there is still a long way to close the gaps in care
• Our network collaborators are making wonderful contributions in the hypersomnia space, we are proud to support them:
  • PWN4PWN
  • Naps4Life
  • Hypersomnia Foundation

• Hypersomnolence disorders are relatively rare, they cause significant disability and impact on the people living with these conditions
• The delay in getting a correct diagnosis is due to many factors, including the “invisibility” of hypersomnolence disorders, mis-labelling symptoms, lack of medical practitioner education and difficulty accessing clinical testing that is relevant and appropriate for this patient population
• WSCN will continue to support patient advocates through our support programs, so that patient voices are heard, understood and integrated into all aspects of healthcare – from policy, to research, and real-world practice
• There is a renewed hope for better quality of life with the development of targeted pharmaceutical therapies, and this will be supported best by ensuring that patient voices are integrated in all parts of research and policy making
• WSCN connected with several organizations who are making an impact in the hypersomnolence disorders space, and we are looking forward to following their work and creating meaningful network connections with them

#BeyondSleepy 2026 was a touching, educational and inspirational event. Our WSCN team members left with key learnings and insights, new connections and motivation to keep working hard to make a difference in the sleep and circadian ecosystem. We loved seeing our Patient Advocates in action, and we’re already looking forward to the next #BeyondSleepy!

An important note:
These are intended to be helpful tips for improving sleep, circadian and overall health and wellness. However, this guidance is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you have concerns or think you have a sleep problem, please consult your health practitioner for personalized assessment and treatment. Read full medical disclaimer

When we think about ways to get better sleep, we might think about all the things that we are constantly told: “Avoid caffeine. No screen time. Get the right amount of sleep”. And whilst these recommendations are true, they fail to capture the fact that supporting our best sleep actually begins the moment we wake up. 

Every aspect of wellness can shape our sleep: our social connections, what we eat, how we move, the way we balance our to-do lists and our leisure time, and even the spaces in which we spend time. The reality is that the relationship between day and night is as intimately connected as bed partners (pun intended!). The quality, quantity, and regularity of sleep shape who you wake and emerge from bed, and how you feel and function for the rest of the day. That’s why at WSCN we are here to make sure you have smart sleep tips that focus on your whole day, not just your nighttime routine. We want you to feel empowered to own all 24 hours! 

If you find yourself struggling to recharge, remember that even small changes can have a big impact. Here are ten habits to help you truly own your time, so you can use all 24 hours to move from surviving — to fully and happily thriving.

When you approach your full 24 hours with intention, you set yourself up for a vibrant, thriving life and a great night’s sleep! By being purposeful about your social connections, nutrition, movement, self-care, and environment, you give yourself the best chance to be your best self. Remember: rest is the fuel that powers everything you do, and every hour — day or night — is an opportunity to invest in your own well-being. Own your time, prioritize what makes you feel great, and use these habits to help you live, thrive, and not just merely survive.

Each morning we wake up with a choice about how we meet the day. While many things are outside our control, our attitude and approach are within it. Even if the morning start feels tough (multiple snoozes, wishing for more sleep, or waking with dread about the day ahead), that beginning does not have to dictate what comes next. We can slip into a victim mindset and predict a miserable day, or we can give ourselves some grace, choose gratitude, and treat the day as a fresh opportunity to build, grow, and be better. 

It’s completely understandable that it may not feel like “rainbows and sunshine” after a poor night’s sleep, but leaning into feeling awful and carrying that mood often spills into the rest of the day, and may set up another poor night—creating a vicious cycle. An occasional bad night is no big deal, but if poor sleep and tough mornings are becoming the rule rather than the exception, take it as a call to action: start observing what might be contributing across your full 24 hours. Take ownership where you can, and make changes that support the best version of you.

The foods we eat, the time we eat them, and the amount of food we eat are all very powerful circadian cues. Our relationship with food shapes who we are, how we perform, how we feel, and of course how we sleep. 

Consuming heavy or hard-to-digest foods can make it harder to fall or stay asleep — particularly foods high in fat or spice. Timing of meals also matters. Research shows that eating within 3 hours of bedtime can contribute to more fragmented sleep. Allowing time between your last meal and going to bed is associated with better sleep quality. Intermittent fasting strategies may also be helpful. A light snack may be okay if you’re hungry, but if that becomes a habit, consider looking at your patterns across the day. You might not be fuelling properly at dinnertime if you’re looking for late-night snacks before bed.

Pay attention to your body’s needs and adjust accordingly. Of course there may be health or medical reasons for eating choices — so always consult with your medical practitioner about what is best for you.

Caffeine can be a useful tool for some who have a “sleepy slump” in the day. It helps to temporarily limit the impact of sleep drive on the desire to nap, and can improve mood and focus. However, too much caffeine overall, and drinking it too close to bedtime, can affect your ability to get a good night’s sleep. It is important to figure out how many cups you can enjoy in a day, and when to have your last cup. A systematic review and meta-analysis found that caffeine consumption reduced total sleep time by 45 minutes and sleep efficiency by 7%, with an increase in sleep onset latency of 9 minutes. To avoid reductions in total sleep time, coffee (approximately 100 mg in a small 8 oz coffee) should be consumed about 8 hours before bedtime. As a guide — if your bedtime is 10 pm, you should consider having your last caffeinated drink around 12–2 pm. Note that many American coffee shops sell “tall” style drinks with multiple shots of coffee, bumping the dosage from ~100 mg to ~300 mg or more. That “one” coffee might be the equivalent of three, and the reason you are having trouble sleeping. 

A helpful point to reflect upon: if you’re depending upon coffee or caffeinated drinks in the late afternoon to “get through” the day, it could be causing a vicious cycle of sleep disruption by impacting the quality of your nights. Consider moving your caffeine intake to mornings only.

Regular moderate-level exercise on several days per week will help you feel good and sleep better in general. Physical activity generally improves sleep regardless of its timing. But take note: a large study of over 14,000 physically active individuals found that later exercise timing and higher exercise strain were associated with delayed sleep onset, shorter sleep duration, and lower sleep quality. Exercise bouts ending at least 4 hours before sleep onset were not associated with changes in sleep. If you notice it’s harder to fall asleep after an evening exercise session, try moving your workout to earlier in the day. Additionally, good quality sleep helps you get the most benefit from your exercise, by supporting healing, recovery, and performance. So prioritize your sleep with the same importance as diet and exercise!

Napping during the day can help you relax, lessen fatigue, improve your mood, and increase alertness. Short naps of 20 minutes or less can be a part of a normal routine for healthy sleepers, but longer naps (90 minutes or more) should be avoided due to their potential to disrupt the coming night’s sleep. An early-afternoon nap (before 3 pm) is less likely to interfere with nighttime sleep, with the optimal nap window falling between 1:00 and 3:00 pm. Be aware that a sudden increase in the need for naps may indicate a reaction to a medication or an underlying health problem, and you may want to discuss this with your health practitioner.

Keeping a consistent sleep schedule is one of the best things you can do for your sleep and overall health. Try to head to bed and wake up around the same time every day, even on weekends. This helps regulate your body’s internal clock, making it easier to fall asleep at night and wake up feeling refreshed. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine and Sleep Research Society recommend that adults sleep at least 7 hours per night to support optimal health, and research consistently shows that 7–8 hours per day is the duration most favorably associated with health outcomes. Sleeping in to “catch up” can actually make it harder to get quality rest the next night, so sticking to a routine pays off in the long run.

Once you’ve created a relaxing bedtime routine, it’s equally important to ensure your sleep environment supports your efforts. For 30-60 minutes before bed, turn off bright overhead lights and opt for lamps and soft lighting to mimic sunset. You can close your house and bedroom curtains to block external light. Aim to reduce noise exposure by turning off loud appliances, blocking outdoor noise with earplugs, or using an ambient noise machine. The World Health Organization recommends that nighttime noise be kept below 40 dB, which is like a quiet library or refrigerator hum. If unpredictable noises can disrupt sleep, consider using white noise, pink noise, or music to mask it. 

It is best to avoid the stimulating effects of technology just before bed. Although frequent discussion has focused on blue light from phone or computer screens, there is varying evidence on who and how much people are affected. 

However, perhaps more interestingly, there are consistent research findings that suggest our engagement with the activities on screen devices can create cognitive and emotional arousal that persists well beyond actual device use, interfering with the psychological wind-down process necessary for sleep.

The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that even keeping mobile devices in the bedroom — without actively using them — has been associated with inadequate sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness in children and teens. Adults should consider putting their device in sleep mode to avoid overnight intrusions from alerts. 

When your days are full of activity, taking time to establish a relaxing bedtime routine can help you disconnect from the day, unwind, and drift off to sleep more easily. At bedtime, you want to transition to sleep by engaging in calming activities like taking a warm bath, listening to soothing music, meditating, or practicing a peaceful ritual or hobby. Relaxation techniques — including progressive muscle relaxation and imagery training — are recognized components of evidence-based insomnia therapy and can reduce the autonomic arousal, muscle tension, and intrusive thoughts that interfere with sleep. Establishing a repeatable routine that focuses on making you feel more relaxed and in-tune with yourself helps set your circadian rhythm, and signals to your brain and body that it’s time to sleep. A healthy circadian rhythm likewise helps you wake up brighter and better the following day.

Your sleep comfort is personal, and what works for one person might not work for another. Rather than focusing on popular brands or trends, pay attention to what feels best for you, whether that means a firmer mattress, softer pillows, or cozy blankets. Whenever possible, try out mattresses and pillows in person before buying, so you know they are a good fit for your needs. Bedding made of natural fabrics such as cotton or linen is more breathable and can improve body temperature regulation compared to synthetics like polyester or microfiber.

A cool room can better support falling asleep and staying asleep. The National Sleep Foundation suggests an ideal sleep temperature between 60-67°F (15-19°C) as both excessively hot and cold environments can negatively influence sleep. Of course, different bodies require different settings, so you might find you sleep better slightly above or below this range.

At WSCN, we want everyone to feel empowered to take sleep and circadian health seriously. Explore our other pages and resources to learn about how to get the best out of all 24 hours.

These are intended to be helpful tips for improving sleep, circadian and overall health and wellness. However, this guidance is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you have concerns or think you have a sleep problem, please consult your health practitioner for personalized assessment and treatment. 

References

An important note:
These are intended to be helpful tips for improving sleep, circadian and overall health and wellness. However, this guidance is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you have concerns or think you have a sleep problem, please consult your health practitioner for personalized assessment and treatment. Read full medical disclaimer

ACOFP Convention 2026 is the annual convention of the American College of Family Practitioners – whose constituents are trained as Doctors of Osteopathic medicine. The delegates ranged from first-year students to seasoned clinicians, researchers and teachers. The convention brings people together to network, learn, practice manual techniques, gain continuous medical education (CME) points, meet industry partners, and of course have a lot of fun doing so! This year we convened in Orlando, FL and people came from across the country to attend.

WSCN Program Manager at the WSCN booth showing off our swag and patient information sheets.

WSCN attended the convention in order to connect with the DO community. At our booth we were able to hear first-hand what practitioners are facing in their work. We shared our patient resources and education sheets, and engaged in important conversations about sleep and circadian wellbeing in healthcare practice. We supported a special half-day sleep symposium – at which our board chair Dr Anne Marie Morse presented with expert colleagues across a range of topics including narcolepsy, sleep apnea and cognitive therapies for insomnia.

• DOs care really about sleep and circadian health!
• DOs want more tools to help patients sleep better
• Patients wait too long for sleep studies and specialist care
• CPAP is costly and often out of reach
• Sleep/circadian education needs stronger integration into medical training
• Healthcare work is high-stress and time-poor—making sleep hygiene hard for students and clinicians

• We learned that the WSCN CPAP Assistance program is more important than ever – helping patients access their own machines for only $200. We left feeling invigorated that our programs can materially change people’s lives.
• We learned that many DOs are managing sleep & circadian health problems directly with their patients due to long wait times to see specialists – and they want more resources and materials to support this care. 
• There are many social determinants that impact sleep in the US. This creates significant challenges for clinicians who are trying to make a difference to people’s health. We need systematic change from government policies and research priorities all the way down to people’s individual thoughts and beliefs about sleep health and lifestyle.
• More education is needed for health practitioners, patients, educators and researchers to understand the importance of sleep & circadian science in ALL healthcare settings.

We left the convention with new connections, learnings and motivation to keep working hard. We know that our work at WSCN matters and we will keep striving to make a difference!

Lola Broomhall, Dr Anne Marie Morse (WSCN Board Chair) and Liz Johnson (Finance Director) at the Sleep Symposium booth.

Dr Anne Marie Morse ahead of her keynote presentation at the Sleep Symposium section of the conference.

An important note:
These are intended to be helpful tips for improving sleep, circadian and overall health and wellness. However, this guidance is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you have concerns or think you have a sleep problem, please consult your health practitioner for personalized assessment and treatment. Read full medical disclaimer

This year the American Academy of Neurology annual convention was hosted in Chicago, IL. WSCN attended as an exhibitor and was able to connect with the neurology community, which included neurologists, sleep clinics, residents and researchers. People came from all around the globe to attend the event.

WSCN attended the convention in order to connect with the neurology community, practitioners, thought leaders and other stakeholders. Our intention was to open up conversations that bring  sleep and circadian health to the forefront of neurology. As brain-based processes, sleep and circadian biology serve as overall indicators of the presence or progression of neurologic disease, as well as measures of overall health and wellbeing. 

Alongside this we shared information about our CPAP Assistance Program and the AWAKE Peer Mentor Program, which assist people with sleep apnea to gain access to equipment and support to help them succeed. Our aim is to ensure everyone can access the care they need to be healthy.

Alongside sharing our work and programs, we were able to collect meaningful insights and information from attendees about the challenges they are facing in their work.

• The sleep–neurology link strongly resonated; attendees agreed the mission is urgent and needed
• Residents emphasized that discounted devices + a free Peer Mentor program are critical to patient success, particularly where barriers to healthcare access exist
• Many clinicians indicated a need to include caregivers/loved ones in our Peer Mentorship Programs so that they feel connected and supported on their journey 
• Multiple clinicians mentioned their spouse or partner struggles with a sleep disorder—and still finds information lacking. They are seeking better information and resources to reduce stigma and connect with the right support

• Clinicians are looking for more information to share with their patients on sleep and circadian health. There was excitement around the patient support programs and educational materials that WSCN has available, and the conversations emphasized the need for WSCN as a global knowledge hub, to share resources relevant for clinicians, patients, and caregivers. 
• We were encouraged by the many residents who stopped by our booth, to share their interest in specializing in sleep medicine, and express the need for more focused clinical education in this area for all medical students. They were so excited to find resources and sleep swag. Our ‘I love Sleep’ stickers were especially popular with the residents at AAN. 
• We loved meeting people from across the sleep and circadian health ecosystem, from industry leaders developing orexin therapies soon to enter the market, to a student creating an online game to help understand sleep disorders, to a researcher studying breathing disorders and use of CPAP machines in space. It is an exciting and rapidly evolving field, with new advancements every day. WSCN is uniquely positioned to translate these innovations into practical knowledge and share them with a global audience.

WSCN left AAN 2026 inspired by new ideas, meaningful connections, and a clear reminder of how essential quality sleep is to brain health and whole-person wellness. These conversations will help shape and strengthen our programs as we continue translating sleep and circadian science for a global audience.

An important note:
These are intended to be helpful tips for improving sleep, circadian and overall health and wellness. However, this guidance is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you have concerns or think you have a sleep problem, please consult your health practitioner for personalized assessment and treatment. Read full medical disclaimer

At WSCN, we know that sleep and circadian health and science have historically been overlooked in medicine, public health, and daily life. This is why we were excited to be among the 30 participants invited to the Sleep Health EU Coalition Launch Event, where professionals from different sectors—including policymakers, clinicians, researchers, industry leaders, and advocacy organizations—came together to discuss the critical role of sleep health in European public health policy. 

After an intensive day of listening to speaker presentations, participating in round table discussions, and making connections with other professionals, we left feeling optimistic about the future of sleep health in the EU. 

Speakers stressed the health, economic, and societal impacts of sleep disorders and called for integrating sleep health into EU health policy, research, and prevention initiatives. 

Key Points:

• Sleep is a major public health issue affecting cardiovascular disease, mental health, immune function, and neurological conditions.
• There is a need for greater screening and earlier diagnosis.
• It is important not to overlook the high economic and societal costs of untreated sleep disorders.
• There is a lack of clear ownership of sleep health within existing healthcare systems.
• Opportunities exist to integrate sleep health into EU cardiovascular and noncommunicable disease strategies.

Strong Policy Engagement

In his opening remarks, European Parliament Member Tomislav Sokol emphasized the need for sleep health to receive the same level of policy attention as major EU initiatives such as the Beating Cancer plan. He noted that approximately 45% of Europeans experience sleep problems with clinical consequences, reinforcing the need to include sleep in the EU’s upcoming 7-year research and funding priorities.

The Case for Public Health: Compelling Clinical Evidence for Sleep and Wellness

Dr. Allanna Hare, President of the British Sleep Society, presented strong evidence linking sleep to: 

• Brain health and cognitive decline
• Cardiovascular disease
• Immune system function
• Mental health outcomes 
• Workplace safety and transportation safety

WSCN Board member Susan Manber in conversation with other delegates.

Recognition of Sleep as a Cross-Disciplinary Health Issue

Speakers repeatedly highlighted that sleep affects multiple health systems but currently lacks a clear “home” within healthcare policy, creating an opportunity for organizations like WSCN to help frame the issue.

Meg Langley (WSCN) reinforced the call for long-term thinking: ‘let’s move away from short-term grants and start thinking about three to five-year strategic partnerships where we can really make a very focused impact.’

WSCN COO Meg Langley speaking at the round table.

By the end of the day, we were full of information and ideas. The group identified four major areas to tackle: 

1. Fragmentation Across Health Systems: Sleep health spans multiple medical disciplines (cardiology, neurology, psychiatry, endocrinology), making it difficult to assign policy ownership or responsibility.
2. Diagnosis Bottlenecks: Participants noted that in some systems wait times for sleep diagnoses can reach up to 1 year, highlighting major access challenges. Health workers themselves are heavily impacted.
3. Missing Stakeholders: Payers and reimbursement decision-makers were largely absent from the conversation, despite their roles in determining access to screening and treatment.
4. Technology Adoption Challenges: While sleep tracking technologies are increasingly available, there remains variation in clinician acceptance and integration into clinical practice.

The Sleep Health EU Coalition Launch Event marked a pivotal step toward transforming how we view and address sleep in Europe. With science, policy, and advocacy now aligned, there is real momentum to prioritize sleep as an essential pillar of public health.

As we look ahead, WSCN is committed to driving collaboration, raising awareness, and ensuring that sleep health becomes a fundamental part of healthcare strategies across the EU and the world. Together, we can help everyone realize the power of sleep and circadian health for healthier, more vibrant lives.

Meg Langley and Susan Manber with other SLEEP EU delegates

An important note:
These are intended to be helpful tips for improving sleep, circadian and overall health and wellness. However, this guidance is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you have concerns or think you have a sleep problem, please consult your health practitioner for personalized assessment and treatment. Read full medical disclaimer