Research Center for Sleep, Work and Health

The Research Center for Sleep, Work and Health (FoSAH) consists of several of Norway's most prominent researchers on the association between sleep, health, and performance in working life. The research at the center is groundbreaking and characterized by innovative methods and high quality. Our vision is "Better performance and health through good sleep".

In Norway, we estimate that about a third of the adult population reports sleep problems, and at least one in ten suffers from severe and long-term sleep problems (chronic insomnia). Good sleep quality and adequate sleep length are crucial for our health and how we perform. Sleep affects, among other things, memory, ability to concentrate, decisions, risk of miscalculations and accidents, physical and mental performance as well as mental and somatic health.

Businesses that have continuous operations or offer goods and services around the clock often require staffing beyond normal working hours. In particular, the service industry is important for many countries' economic growth. This means that more and more people work outside ordinary working hours, which includes around 800,000 Norwegians. Some master shift work well, while others find it difficult, for example, to work at night or to sleep after a night shift. Some may also struggle with daytime work, especially when the shift starts early, or with falling asleep after working in the evening. For some, little time to rest between two shifts is a problem. Those who work shifts are often forced to be active when the body is geared towards sleeping, and they often must sleep when the body is geared towards wakefulness and activity. Shift work and irregular working hours are associated with negative health outcomes, where sleep problems are the most common problem.

In order to avoid negative effects on performance, safety and health, there is therefore a great need for more knowledge about sleep, working hours and how individual and organisational factors can contribute to the best possible adaptation to shift work and performance. The Research Center for Sleep, Work and Health, with its interdisciplinary composition and long experience in the field, is a solid contributor to new and applied knowledge on the association between sleep, health and performance in working life.