World Sleep Society

Overview

The World Sleep Society is a nonprofit professional membership organization based in the United States. It was established in 2016 as a result of the merger between the World Association of Sleep Medicine (WASM) and the World Sleep Federation (WSF). The society aims to advance sleep health worldwide through education, research, and patient care, with a particular focus on areas where sleep medicine is less developed.

Mission and Purpose

The mission of the World Sleep Society is to advance sleep health globally by promoting and encouraging education, research, and patient care. This is achieved by fostering international exchanges among scientists, physicians, and other healthcare professionals interested in sleep medicine. The society supports public education, advocates for policies related to sleep health, and promotes research to improve the quality of life worldwide.

Structure and Governance

The World Sleep Society is governed by a 14-member Governing Council. This council includes officers and representatives from various geographical regions, ensuring diverse perspectives. The society is composed of individual members and societies from around the world, totaling over 10,000 health professionals.

Programs and Activities

The society organizes the World Sleep Congress, a biennial international event featuring scientific sessions and pre-congress courses. It also hosts virtual meetings and supports numerous regional sleep conferences. The World Sleep Academy is another key initiative, offering a comprehensive program in sleep science and medicine structured into three tiers, designed for working professionals seeking to enhance their knowledge in sleep disorders diagnosis and treatment.

History

The organization's roots trace back to 1988 with the founding of the World Sleep Federation. In 2015, the merger between the World Association of Sleep Medicine and the World Sleep Federation led to the creation of the World Sleep Society in the following year. Today, it represents members from over 77 countries and supports a wide range of sleep-related educational and research activities.

Public Outreach and Education

The World Sleep Society publishes a public awareness magazine to improve sleep knowledge among the general public and healthcare professionals. It also supports international guidelines and standards in sleep medicine, furthering its mission to enhance global sleep health. The society endorses sleep meetings worldwide to raise awareness about sleep disorders among healthcare workers and the public.

Financials and Status

As a nonprofit organization, the World Sleep Society operates under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Financial operations are managed by the World Sleep Foundation, which acts as the management company for the society. The society's financial model includes profit sharing with host societies for the World Sleep Congress.