Unlocking Better Sleep: DreamSafe's Mission to Improve Global Health through Sleep Education and Advocacy

My name is Riku Yaegashi, an international high school student based in Singapore. Fueled by a profound passion for enhancing global health standards, I've dedicated myself to the field of Health (Life) Science. In pursuit of making a positive impact, I founded DreamSafe, an initiative focused on addressing the often underestimated issue of sleep-related problems.

I am deeply committed to tackling the silent epidemic of poor sleep, aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 3, which prioritizes good health and well-being. Poor sleep is a critical yet frequently overlooked factor affecting mental and physical health. It contributes to conditions like depression, increases the risk of heart disease, weakens immunity, and hampers cognitive functions, impacting daily performance and overall quality of life. Despite its significant consequences, the importance of quality sleep often goes unrecognized, making it a vital yet neglected aspect of public health.

Startling statistics show an 8% rise in Americans with insomnia in the past decade, reaching 46.2 million in 2012. Globally, 10-30% of adults grapple with insomnia, with 30% facing short-term and 10% chronic insomnia. Alarmingly, one in three adults sleeps less than the recommended 7 hours, leading to a surge in chronic health problems. Teens also face a decline in average sleep, with most falling short. This data is a collective wake-up call.

In founding DreamSafe, my goal was simple: help people sleep better. We teach communities about good sleep habits, proper routines, and the problems of insufficient rest. DreamSafe advocates for better rules at work and school, like balanced schedules and less overtime, to create environments supporting a healthy life. We don't stop there—we delve into scientific studies for better solutions. DreamSafe aims to make a big difference in how we think about and care for our sleep, ensuring everyone has a chance for a good night's rest.

In response to this pressing issue, I present the 'NERU' framework—a concept derived from the Japanese word for 'sleeping.' NERU serves as an acronym that forms the foundation of our strategy:

• Navigate: Guide individuals and communities to better sleep and well-being.

• Enhance: Improve life by fostering better sleep habits.

• Recharge: Encourage rejuvenating quality sleep practices.

• Unlock: Discover the manifold benefits of quality sleep for optimal health.

This comprehensive approach addresses sleep health from multiple angles, ensuring a holistic impact on individuals and communities alike. 

Setting ambitious yet achievable goals, DreamSafe aims to:

• Decrease the number of people with insomnia, Specifically, decrease the patients to under 150 million people would the world from 237 million (2023) by 2027

• Increase your productivity. Through approaching your health issue, we want to increase and improve your general productivity.

• Improve overall health. We want to improve overall health around the world that is caused by sleep issues or disorders.

As the world undergoes rapid development and lifestyles evolve, sleep disorders become increasingly prevalent, impacting daily functionality and productivity. It is crucial to recognize that addressing sleep health is not only a current necessity but an urgent priority to prevent worsening health consequences in the future. This understanding underscores the urgency of our project and our unwavering commitment to promoting better sleep health globally.