Prof. Dr. Björn Rasch interviewed on Late Night Zürich
Björn Rasch (Chairman of Netzwerk Schlaf) discusses in an interview how stress, rumination, and everyday habits affect our sleep. He explains why good sleep is not purely a matter of willpower, dispels common sleep myths, and uses scientific findings to show which strategies and routines really help to sleep better in the long term.
Networking Event 10/28/2026, 12 PM–5 PM
Sleep disorders are among the most common health problems and represent a public health challenge. At the 2026 network event, experts from science, politics, and healthcare will discuss current findings and solution approaches.
Look forward to the keynote by Dr. Luisa Welter on the burden of sleep disorders in Switzerland, as well as insights into innovative prevention projects: Prof. Dr. Christoph Nissen and Prof. Michael Kaess will present the SLEEPexpert Teens project for early detection and early intervention of chronic sleep disorders in adolescents. Dr. med. Felicia Dutray will present Re-MIND, a project to support refugees in coping with insomnia and nightmare disorders.
An interactive workshop also offers the opportunity to actively shape the future priorities of the network.
Take the opportunity to network in person!
Five new projects strengthen prevention of chronic sleep disorders
Sleep problems affect a large part of the population in Switzerland – with consequences for physical, mental, and social health. As part of the Project Funding Prevention in Healthcare (PGV), Health Promotion Switzerland is supporting five new projects that show how prevention and care can go hand in hand.
German Sleep Award
The German Sleep Foundation’s “German Sleep Award” is presented every two years to recognize outstanding achievements in sleep health, sleep research, and education. The award recognizes dedicated individuals, innovative projects, and employer initiatives that contribute to healthy sleep. The next award ceremony will take place on Friday, March 20, 2026, in Berlin.
Sleep, breathing, and mental health: Key findings from Palagini et al. (2025)
The study shows that sleep-related breathing disorders are closely linked to insomnia, emotional dysregulation, and increased stress. Disturbed breathing during sleep acts not only as a physical risk factor but also as a psychological one, which can exacerbate anxiety, depression, and daytime fatigue. An integrative treatment approach that considers sleep, breathing, and psychological processes together is crucial to reduce long-term health consequences.
International Tongue-Tie Congress
From January 15–17, 2026, the interdisciplinary conference will take place with international experts, practical lectures, and workshops on orofacial health.
Highlight: On Wednesday evening, January 14, 2026, Roger Price (The Way We Breathe Is Killing Us) will give a public lecture. He will explain why our breathing is crucial for health and well-being, which breathing patterns can be problematic, and how we can breathe more consciously with simple impulses.
SRF Daily Talk with Albrecht Vorster
In the SRF daily talk, sleep researcher Albrecht Vorster emphasizes that sleep disorders can not only make you tired, but also sick and unable to concentrate. He recommends treating sleep as a health priority: a regular sleep rhythm, sufficient daylight in the morning and avoiding bright light in the evening support restful sleep. Anyone who sleeps poorly for a long period of time despite good habits should seek professional help – because good sleep is the basis for mental performance and long-term health.
National Council Rejects Motion to Integrate Sleep into the Current NCD Strategy
With 119 votes to 63 and 10 abstentions, the National Council rejected the motion by Council of States member Müller to integrate sleep into Switzerland’s current NCD health strategy. In response to a question from NR Lohr about including the topic of sleep in the next health strategy in 2029, Federal Councillor Baume-Schneider replied, among other things, that this would have to be decided together with the cantons and Health Promotion Switzerland. She was confident that it would be accepted. The Sleep Network continues to advocate for the integration of sleep into the NCD strategy.
Sleep & Health Seminar September 25
On September 26, Prof. Dr. Natalia Egorova-Brumley from the University of Melbourne will give a lecture as part of an additional SHZ seminar. The neuroscientist heads the Pain and Cognition Neuroimaging Lab and researches how pain affects the brain and how cognitive processes change pain perception. Under the title “Understanding the relationship between sleep and pain,” she provides insights into the complex relationships between sleep and pain.
Sleep & Health Seminar October 25
On September 26, Prof. Dr. Natalia Egorova-Brumley from the University of Melbourne will give a lecture as part of an additional SHZ seminar. The neuroscientist heads the Pain and Cognition Neuroimaging Lab and researches how pain affects the brain and how cognitive processes change pain perception. Under the title “Understanding the relationship between sleep and pain,” she provides insights into the complex relationships between sleep and pain.