21/10/2025
Happy Sleep Technologist Appreciation Week!
โAccording to the Philippine Society of Sleep Medicine Inc. (PSSMI), the Philippines ranks first in Southeast Asia and fourth globally among the most sleep-deprived nations [2]. This alarming status is compounded by cultural, socioeconomic, and environmental factors, including irregular work hours, excessive screen time, poor sleep hygiene, and limited public awareness on the health implications of inadequate sleep. Despite its modifiability, sleep remains under-recognized in national health strategies, particularly in relation to cardiovascular risk mitigation[3]โ
Lack of Sleep or Inability to sleep thereof increases risk and is linked to heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, obesity, and depression, including higher chance of injury.
We call for the Government to improve access to sleep disorders services across the country.
Sleep Technologist/Respiratory Therapist are Healthcare workers that helps in the diagnosis, treatment and management of sleep disorders.
They work hand in hand with Doctors specialising in Sleep Medicine.
References:
1.Yang L., Hu F.X., Wang K., Wang Z.Z., Yang J. Association of sleep duration with hypertension in young and middle-aged adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int. J. Cardiol. Cardiovasc. Risk Prev. 2025;25 doi: 10.1016/j.ijcrp.2025.200387. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
2.Co A. Rappler; 2025. It's Time to Get Some Sleep, Filipinos.https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/health-and-wellness/filipinos-sleep-deprived/ [Google Scholar]
3. Rogayan DV Jr, Padre EM. Sleep epidemic in the Philippines: A silent driver of cardiovascular risk. Int J Cardiol Cardiovasc Risk Prev. 2025 May 8;26:200431. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcrp.2025.200431. PMID: 40487079; PMCID: PMC12138912.
