Delegate: Portuguese Sleep Association and Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of the University of Coimbra
Affiliations: APS, CNC-UC
Short Bio: The Portuguese Sleep Association (APS) joins professionals from many health, education and university groups in order to promote awareness, education and research related to sleep and sleep disorders in a multidisciplinary perspective in Portugal. Sleep scientific education to health professionals and awareness in scholar, professional and general population have been important points of its activity. The Certification for the Competence of Sleep Medicine in Portugal has been activated by the Association.
The Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology of the University of Coimbra (CNC -UC) is a Research Institute committed to excellence in Bioscience and Biomedicine. The CNC brings together researchers from the Faculties of Medicine, Pharmacy and Science and Technology at the University of Coimbra, as well as from the University Hospitals and Pharmaceutical industries. Sleep research is one path of their investigation.
Activity: A large-scale campaign has been developed by APS and CNC-UC during the month of the World Sleep Day based on the slogan “Better sleep, better life, better planet”. It was widespread all over the country and had the advantage to reach a lot of people by electronic means at a moment where the meetings began to be discouraged due to the World pandemic problem:
1.Press Releases were sent to all social media channels about Sleep,
Habits and Climate Changes
2.Infographic messages about sleep in:
a.Over 1000 awareness points [ATM machines (1.495.000 visualizations),
street digital screens – TOMI World, outdoors] all over the main
cities of Portugal (continental area and islands) during 8 days (9-
16/03)
b.The screens of the urban buses of Coimbra and lunchroom of the city
bus drivers
c.The waiting room of the medical center of the staff of the City
Council of Coimbra
d.The social networks of APS and CNC-UC
3. A Video drawing attention to the importance of having healthy sleep
habits for a better life was disseminated to:
a.APS and CNC-UC social networks
b.Formative sessions at schools and professional groups
c.Secretarial posts of the City Council of Coimbra
4.Publication of a physical and online book “Bons Sonhos”(Good Dreams)
for general public in collaboration with an athlete and a health
technology company
5.Translation of messages of Sleep Research Images from WSS and spread on
social network and APS website
6.Formative sessions at schools (students and parents) and professional
groups
7.Many interviews, mainly on radio, magazines and newpapers. The question
of the sleep and anxiety related to the actual pandemic situation was
repeatedly approached
8.This campaign had the collaboration of the City Council of Coimbra and
health technology companies.
Location: All over Portugal – Continental area and Portuguese Islands (Madeira, Azores)
Date of Activity: During March 2020
Submitted By: M. Helena Estêvão
