The World Sleep Day is annually observed on the Friday before the Spring Vernal Equinox. The day is aimed to celebrate sleep and create awareness about the importance of sleep and issues related to sleep, including the medicine, education and social aspects.
- The world Sleep day is annually organised by the World Sleep Day Committee of the World Sleep Society.
- The World Sleep Day 2021 is co-chaired by Lourdes DelRosso, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Associate Sleep Medicine Fellowship Director at University of Washington and Professor Fang Han, MD of The Sleep Center, Peking University People’s Hospital in Beijing, China.
The 19th March 2021 marks the observance of the 14th annual World Sleep Day.
- The World Sleep Day 2020 was observed on 13th March 2020 (Spring Vernal Equinox – 20th March 2020(Friday))
- The World Sleep Day 2022 will be observed on 18th March 2022 (Spring Vernal Equinox – 20th March 2022(Sunday)).
The Slogan or theme of the 14th World Sleep Day is “Regular Sleep, Healthy Future”.
Objective:
- To reduce the effects of sleep problems on society through prevention and management of sleep disorders.
Background:
i.World Sleep Day was initiated by a group of healthcare providers and members of the medical community who were working and studying in the area of sleep medicine and research.
ii.The first World Sleep Day was observed on 14th March 2008.
Effects of Sleep Problems:
i.Sleep problems constitute a global epidemic that affects the health and quality of life for up to 45% of the world’s population.
ii.Most sleep disorders are preventable or treatable but around one-third of the affected people get professional support.
iii.Continuous interruption of the breathing function during sleep is called sleep apnea, which causes sleepiness and fatigue and lead to various conditions like hypertension, ischemic heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
