Core Insights - The prevalence of insomnia in China is increasing due to factors such as aging and unhealthy lifestyles, making sleep health a key indicator of the Healthy China strategy [1] - A forum held on September 21 in Beijing highlighted new data, methods, and initiatives for insomnia treatment, aiming to promote national sleep health [1] Group 1: Sleep Health Statistics - According to the China Sleep Research Society's 2025 Sleep Health Survey, 48.5% of individuals aged 18 and above in China experience sleep disturbances, primarily characterized by difficulty falling asleep, nighttime awakenings, and early waking [2] - Long-term insomnia is linked to serious health issues, including hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease, cancer, and an increased risk of dementia [2] Group 2: Current Treatment Limitations - Traditional insomnia medications, such as benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepines, can shorten sleep onset but may lead to daytime drowsiness, cognitive decline, and dependency, posing significant risks for long-term use [2] - There is a lack of safe and effective long-term treatment options for insomnia in China, with existing medications often failing to meet public expectations for quality sleep [2] Group 3: Innovative Treatment Approaches - Dual Orexin Receptor Antagonists (DORAs) have received first-line recommendations in treatment guidelines, marking a significant advancement in insomnia therapy [3] - DORAs work by blocking the binding of orexin neuropeptides to their receptors, effectively lowering orexin levels and promoting natural sleep without the widespread sedation associated with traditional medications [3] Group 4: Clinical Research and Efficacy - DORA medications, such as Daridorexant, have shown consistent efficacy and safety in clinical trials, with patients experiencing a reduction in sleep onset time by 35 minutes and nighttime awakenings by 30 minutes, while extending total sleep time by one hour [4] - Daridorexant has been recognized as a first-line treatment for insomnia in Europe, with clinical studies indicating improved sleep quality without the residual effects commonly seen with traditional medications [4] Group 5: Market Development and Future Research - Companies like Yangtze River Pharmaceutical Group and Hansoh Pharmaceutical are investing in the development of new insomnia medications, with Daridorexant already commercialized in China [5] - A national sleep disorder screening project has been launched to establish a sleep health database and explore new treatment models, with a planned investment of 30 million yuan for post-marketing research on insomnia medications [6]