A World of Sleep Awaits You

 When we first launched Sleep Review in the fall of 2000, we knew it was only a matter of time before we would introduce a magazine dedicated to the international sleep medicine community. More than 40 million people within the United States suffer from some type of sleep disorder, and with the rapid growth of sleep centers, laboratories, and facilities within this country, we recognize the fact that there is an even greater number of individuals internationally who need to be treated for narcolepsy, OSA, insomnia, and other sleep-related disorders. For this reason, we are introducing Sleep Review International in September.

Sleep Review International will be an annual publication that will reach sleep medicine specialists and other health care professionals involved in the field throughout Europe, Asia, Canada, Australia, and South America. The articles will cover a broad range of topics with participation from authors located across the world. In many ways, we live in a global community and are confident that the articles, departments, and news items featured in Sleep Review International will help to shed light on one of the fastest-growing and most interesting areas of medicine and health care.

With the recent passing of NFL great Reggie White, the article we published in the January/February 2003 issue of Sleep Review on a study involving 300 NFL players and their risk of sleep apnea went from theory to reality. While it may take a couple more months for White’s exact cause of death to be determined, initial reports from physicians and White’s wife indicate that sleep apnea most likely played a major role. For those of us in the sleep medicine profession, the moment we heard the statement from White’s wife that “Reggie suffered from respiratory problems and had trouble sleeping,” we immediately knew that sleep apnea was more than likely one of the causes of his death.

While White’s death is unfortunate, when a big name passes away, society tends to pay more attention. I would not be surprised if now sleep medicine gets even more attention from the health care community, insurers, and the public at large. And while the NFL deals with other issues such as steroid use, hopefully someone within the profession also will pay more attention to those players who are prone to sleep apnea.

We will be attending and exhibiting at the APSS conference in Denver on June 18-23. The APSS is always a superb conference for the sleep medicine industry. With a host of excellent seminars, poster sessions, and speakers, in addition to an exhibit floor that promises to present the newest and best in sleep diagnostics and therapy, this is one event you do not want to miss. If you have not already done so, make plans to attend this year’s APSS conference by contacting them at (708) 492-0930. In addition to the education and product technology you will glean from the conference, the APSS is also a great opportunity to meet with old and new colleagues. Be sure to stop by Sleep Review’s booth while you are there.

Tony Ramos
Publisher

For additional information on Sleep Review International, please contact me at (310) 642-4400, ext 225 and/or [email protected].