Why sleep health?
Sleep is not a luxury; it is fundamental to physical and mental health, and an underestimated key to productivity, safety, and innovation. Hundreds of millions of people worldwide suffer from sleep disorders; in Belgium, an estimated >1.5 million people have chronic complaints. Up to 80% remain undiagnosed and untreated. We want to help change that.
What is at stake?
• Increased healthcare costs (including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, depression)
• Loss of productivity and absenteeism
• Accidents and safety risks
• Reduced quality of life
Our mission
We develop and connect evidence-based knowledge, practical tools, and networks to improve sleep health across the board—so insights flow faster into education, work, healthcare, and policy.
What we do
1) Research & innovation—we support research and translate insights into practical solutions.
2) Accessible screening & tools – we develop widely applicable instruments for prevention and screening.
3) Training & knowledge sharing – lectures, knowledge evenings, and materials for healthcare, education, work, and policy.
4) Network & policy – we connect experts and strengthen social impact with digital applications and measurable indicators.
For whom
• Citizens & families – understand your sleep and improve your well-being
• Healthcare professionals – practical tools and training
• Employers – prevention, safety, and productivity
• Schools & education – learn better through better sleep
• Policymakers – insights and impact measurements
Impact we strive for
• Early recognition of sleep problems
• Measurable improvements in well-being at school and work
• Fewer absences and accidents due to better sleep
• Stronger networks between science, healthcare, and practice
(Follow-up via periodic impact reporting)
Become a partner or support us
Together, we accelerate innovation and social impact. Partners receive:
1) Visibility & profiling
Name and logo mention (website, publications, reports), co-branding in campaigns, mention at events.
2) Value for your brand
Link to a progressive, socially relevant theme and the VUB; strengthening of social positioning and employer branding.
3) Network & access to expertise
Invitations to lectures, networking events, and meetings with researchers and policymakers (national & international).
4) Product integration & interaction
Integration of relevant products/services in the interactive sleep test with personalized recommendations for visitors.
Donate online or by bank transfer to the VUB's account number BE51 0013 6779 3562, mentioning GIFTPR24. Donations of €40 or more are tax deductible.
Team members
Miche De Meyer
Prof. Dr. Miche De Meyer
Prof. Dr. Miche De Meyer, graduated from Ghent University. She is a dental expert in sleep medicine, a passionate researcher, networker (affiliated with the universities of Ghent, Nijmegen, Sheffield, Portugal), lecturer and clinician (AZ Jan Palfijn, Ghent) and government-appointed contact person for the OSAS convention in Belgium.
Prof. dr. Johan Bilsen
Johan Bilsen has had a long career in social science research (both quantitative epidemiological and qualitative) in the field of public health and general well-being. His research covers various subdomains, including fundamental etiological research, research into risk factors, and research into healthcare and policy relating to mental health and general well-being.
Johan Bilsen
Olivier Mairesse
Prof. dr. Olivier Mairesse
His research focused primarily on cognitive information integration and psychometrics in the field of sleep research. In 2004, he was awarded the Young Scientist's Award by the European Sleep Research Society for his research into psychomotor performance and executive functioning in sleep apnea. In 2009, he won the André Kahn Sleep Award from the Belgian Society for Sleep Research and Sleep Medicine for his work on cognitive algebraic integration in sleepiness assessments.
