Sleep Trends, Mental Health Funding: The Week in Health

This week, a TikTok trend called "sleepmaxxing" aims to optimize sleep, though its effectiveness is debated. Also, Boehringer Ingelheim and WHO pledged US$5 million to improve mental health services, while Samsung’s updated Health app offers new features for tracking health data. ECLAC and PAHO urged post-pandemic health investments in Latin America. Funsalud’s studies reveal ongoing challenges in Mexico’s digital healthcare transformation.

This is the Week in Health!

TikTok's Sleepmaxxing: A New Approach to Better Sleep

A growing TikTok trend known as "sleepmaxxing" has captured the attention of young adults seeking to enhance their sleep quality. This movement emphasizes optimizing both the duration and the quality of sleep through various techniques, routines, and devices. However, healthcare experts question the effectiveness of this trend’s methods for achieving true sleep quality. 

Boehringer Ingelheim, WHO Pledge US$5 Million to Improve Mental Health

Boehringer Ingelheim, a global biopharmaceutical company, has pledged US$5 million in collaboration with the WHO Foundation to enhance access to quality mental health services in the Americas. This effort is part of a broader initiative to address mental health challenges, particularly in communities facing a heightened risk of suicide. 

Samsung Enhances Health Management With App Features

Samsung has introduced an update to its Health app in the United States, enhancing user health management capabilities by enabling access to health records, tracking medications, and monitoring daily food intake. Through this update, Samsung aims to enhance user experience by partnering with leading companies in health data integration, medication tracking, and food barcode scanning.

ECLAC, PAHO Urge Health Investment in Post-Pandemic LATAM

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) have called on regional governments to prioritize health investments, even in a post-pandemic period. In a new joint report, the organizations emphasized the need to ensure the right to health for all citizens while advancing inclusive social development in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Big Mysteries Around Physician-Related Digital Transformation

The digital transformation of Mexico’s medical practice holds promise but faces complexities in implementation. Insights from Funsalud’s studies, Digital Physician in Mexico (2022) and Mexican Digital Patient (2024), reveal ongoing challenges and uncertainties in achieving greater efficiency and improved patient care through technology.