Advancing Sleep Health in the Cordillera Region
By Katrina Juanite
Sleep is often overlooked, yet it remains one of the most powerful pillars of health. During the Philippine Society of Sleep Medicine’s (PSSM) 3rd Regional Sleep Caravan in Baguio City, healthcare professionals, advocates, and educators came together to address the growing burden of sleep disorders and sleep deprivation in the Philippines. For H&L, the event provided an opportunity not only to promote health education but also to witness a shared commitment to improving sleep health in communities where specialized services remain scarce.
In the first week of June 2026, the Philippine Society of Sleep Medicine brought its advocacy for better sleep health to Northern Luzon through the 3rd Regional Sleep Caravan, held on June 4–5 at Solohiya Hall, The Plaza Garden Hotel and Residences in Baguio City. The event gathered sleep medicine specialists, physicians, healthcare workers, interns, and representatives from various healthcare organizations, all united by a common goal: to improve awareness, education, and access to sleep health services across the regions.
As one of the representatives of H&L, I had the privilege of participating in this meaningful initiative and witnessing firsthand the growing commitment of healthcare professionals to address sleep-related concerns among Filipinos. The caravan served as an excellent platform not only for learning but also for collaboration, networking, and the exchange of ideas.
One of the most memorable aspects of the event was reconnecting with friends and colleagues while meeting physicians and specialists from different disciplines who have incorporated sleep medicine into their practice. These conversations opened doors to future collaborations and reinforced the importance of working together to advance sleep health in the country.
Introducing the H&L website to attendees was among our key objectives and became one of the highlights of our participation. Many participants expressed genuine interest in the platform and appreciated its wide range of health-related content. Several healthcare professionals were particularly curious about the printed magazines we brought as samples. A few even jokingly asked if they could take copies home—a testament to the continuing value of well-crafted health education materials in both digital and print formats.
These interactions allowed us to share H&L’s mission of providing reliable, accessible, and evidence-based information on health, wellness, mental health, emotional well-being, spirituality, financial wellness, and other aspects of holistic living.
Beyond promoting the website, the event offered valuable opportunities to engage with physicians from various specialties who are helping expand sleep medicine services in their communities, particularly in underserved areas where access to sleep specialists remains limited.
The need is significant. There are currently only ninety-eight (98) sleep medicine specialists in the Philippines. In the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), only two specialists—Dr. Castro and Dr. Carbonell—serve the entire region. This reality highlights the urgent need to strengthen sleep health services, increase awareness, and encourage more healthcare professionals to pursue training in sleep medicine.
Conversations with sleep experts and healthcare practitioners reinforced the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration in managing sleep disorders. Sleep-related conditions often overlap with pulmonary medicine, neurology, psychiatry, cardiology, internal medicine, and other specialties, making coordinated care essential for optimal patient outcomes.
A major highlight of the caravan was the lecture delivered by Dr. Jimmy Chang, President of the Philippine Society of Sleep Medicine. He emphasized the growing public health challenge posed by sleep deprivation and its far-reaching consequences on health, safety, and productivity.
Among the most impactful messages he shared was the danger of drowsy driving. Dr. Chang explained that a person who has been awake for 18 consecutive hours may experience impairment comparable to someone under the influence of alcohol. Prolonged wakefulness affects judgment, concentration, decision-making, and reaction time, making sleep-deprived driving as dangerous as drunk driving.
Dr. Chang also underscored the critical role of sleep in protecting cardiovascular health. During sleep, the heart is given an opportunity to rest, blood pressure naturally declines, and vital repair processes take place throughout the body. He described sleep as the body’s “master regulator,” helping maintain hormonal balance and supporting the healthy functioning of nearly every organ system. When sleep is inadequate, these processes are disrupted, increasing the risk of numerous health problems.
During the open forum, Dr. Chang encouraged participants to aim for at least six to seven hours of sleep each night. He acknowledged the reality that physicians, residents, and healthcare workers often endure long duty hours and demanding schedules. Nevertheless, he emphasized that healthcare providers must also prioritize their own well-being.
“Sleep is not a luxury—it is a biological necessity. Protecting sleep means protecting the heart, the brain, and ultimately the quality of life of every Filipino.”
As he aptly pointed out, when a physician’s health deteriorates because of chronic sleep deprivation, it becomes increasingly difficult to provide the level of care patients deserve. His message served as an important reminder that sleep deprivation should not be viewed as a badge of honor or a minor inconvenience, but rather as a serious health and public safety concern
Throughout the two-day caravan, the educational sessions, discussions, and exchange of experiences reflected a collective passion for improving patient care through better recognition, diagnosis, and management of sleep-related disorders.
My experience at the PSSM Sleep Caravan was both educational and inspiring. More importantly, it reaffirmed the importance of sleep as a fundamental pillar of health and highlighted the critical role of collaboration among healthcare professionals, organizations, and advocates.
As Health & Lifestyle continues its mission of promoting health education and empowering Filipinos to make informed health decisions, participating in initiatives such as Project Himbing enables us to support meaningful conversations that can ultimately improve health, well-being, and quality of life throughout the country.
Sleep is not merely a period of rest. It is a vital investment in health, safety, and human flourishing—one that deserves greater attention from healthcare providers, policymakers, and the public alike.
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