About us
The Global Initiative for Insomnia (GIFIN) is an independent, international, and multidisciplinary initiative dedicated to advancing the understanding, prevention, and management of insomnia as a major global health challenge.
Insomnia is one of the most prevalent and disabling sleep disorders worldwide, affecting physical health, mental well-being, cognitive performance, productivity, and quality of life. Despite its high burden, insomnia remains underdiagnosed, undertreated, and inconsistently integrated into health systems—particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Founded under the leadership and vision of Professor Sy Duong-Quy and Direction Board, GIFIN was established to translate robust scientific knowledge on insomnia into coordinated, equitable, and scalable global action. GIFIN serves as a neutral platform that connects clinicians, researchers, public health experts, policymakers, and digital health innovators to promote evidence-based, patient-centered, and culturally adaptable insomnia care worldwide.
VISION AND MISSION
VISION
To establish sleep health—and insomnia care in particular—as a fundamental component of global health, contributing to healthier individuals, more resilient communities, and sustainable health systems worldwide.
MISSION
GIFIN’s mission is to:
- Promote evidence-based, patient-centered approaches to insomnia prevention and management
- Reduce global disparities in access to insomnia care
- Integrate insomnia into broader noncommunicable disease (NCD) and mental health frameworks
- Support innovation, education, and policy engagement to improve sleep health across the life course
GIFIN views insomnia not merely as a symptom, but as a chronic, multidimensional condition requiring long-term, integrated, and context-sensitive solutions.
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
GIFIN operates through a flexible, collaborative organizational model designed to support global coordination while enabling regional and local adaptation.
Key Components
- Executive Board
Provides strategic direction, governance, and alignment with GIFIN’s mission and ethical principles. - Scientific & Clinical Advisory Committee
Composed of international experts in sleep medicine, psychiatry, neurology, pulmonology, psychology, and public health, responsible for ensuring scientific rigor and clinical relevance. - Education & Capacity-Building Committee
Oversees training programs, educational resources, and workforce development initiatives. - Digital Health & Innovation Committee
Focuses on digital therapeutics, telemedicine, mobile applications, and technology-enabled insomnia care. - Policy, Advocacy & Global Partnerships Committee
Engages with policymakers, international organizations, and stakeholders to elevate insomnia within health agendas.
This structure enables GIFIN to function as a global network rather than a centralized institution, promoting sustainability and inclusivity.
Global Impact & Collaboration
GIFIN aims to generate measurable global impact through collaboration, advocacy, and continuous evaluation.
Key Focus Areas
- Reducing the global burden of untreated insomnia
- Advancing research collaboration and data harmonization
- Supporting equity-focused programs for underserved populations
- Engaging policymakers to integrate insomnia into national health strategies
- Raising public awareness of sleep health as a pillar of well-being
By aligning scientific evidence with implementation strategies and policy engagement, GIFIN seeks to ensure that awareness leads to action, and that action results in sustainable improvements in sleep health worldwide.
International Membership
GIFIN welcomes international membership from individuals and institutions committed to improving insomnia care and sleep health.
Membership Categories
- Healthcare professionals
- Researchers and academics
- Public health practitioners
- Patient advocacy representatives
- Digital health and technology partners
- Policy and health system stakeholders
Membership in GIFIN fosters:
- Cross-border collaboration
- Knowledge exchange and capacity building
- Participation in global initiatives, research projects, and advocacy campaigns
GIFIN emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion, recognizing that effective insomnia solutions must reflect cultural, socioeconomic, and health system diversity.
Strategic Pillars & Global Programs
GIFIN’s activities are structured around five interdependent strategic pillars, forming an integrated global framework for insomnia care.
Clinical and Scientific Framework
Promoting standardized, evidence-based diagnostic and management principles while recognizing phenotypic diversity and contextual constraints.
Capacity Building and Education
Strengthening human resources through multidisciplinary education, including cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), primary care integration, and digital training programs.
Digital and Telemedicine-Based Care
Supporting scalable, low-cost digital solutions such as mobile applications, teleconsultation, and remote monitoring to expand access to insomnia care.
Patient-Centered and Behavioral Sleep Health
Emphasizing shared decision-making, behavioral interventions, adherence support, and patient-reported outcomes.
Policy Integration and Health System Alignment
Advocating for the inclusion of insomnia within NCD, mental health, and occupational health strategies.