ISD Health Solutions marks World Sleep Day with webinar, expo

ISD Health Solutions, a provider of sleep and respiratory health solutions, will host a World Sleep Day webinar on Friday, March 14, followed by a Medical Conference and Expo on March 16 the ROK Hotel in Kingston. 

The events are part of a broader mission to raise awareness on the importance of sleep and how sleep disorders impact the lives of millions of people in the Caribbean.

World Sleep Day, recognised globally on March 14, emphasises the importance of healthy sleep and the critical role it plays in overall health and well-being. 

ISD Health Solutions, under the leadership of Gregory Arneaud, a World Sleep Society Delegate representing Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, St Lucia, and the Cayman Islands, continues to spearhead advocacy for sleep health across the region.

A highlight of the World Sleep Day activities is the Medical Conference and Training Session at the ROK Hotel, led by Dr Wendell Bobb, a triple board-certified physician in Neurology, Clinical Neurophysiology, and Sleep Medicine, along with Dr Alicia Jackson and  Anyssa Fraser of BlueSleep. 

This session will provide healthcare professionals with the latest research and treatment strategies in sleep medicine, furthering ISD Health Solutions’ mission to bridge the gap in sleep disorder diagnosis and management in the Caribbean.

Joining the initiative is Dr Trisha Bailey, a Jamaican former student-athlete, philanthropist, and education activist. 

Best known for her humanitarian efforts in healthcare, education, and community development, Dr Bailey has  been very supportive to the education sector in Jamaica. A billionaire philanthropist, she has donated to institutions such as the University of Connecticut and Portland, demonstrating her commitment to transforming lives. 

Her involvement in World Sleep Day underscores the critical intersection of health, wellness, and education, and she will be instrumental in fostering awareness about the importance of prioritised  sleep health.

With over 25 years of experience as a Respiratory Therapist, Gregory Arneaud has been instrumental in sleep health advocacy across the Caribbean for over 13 years. His personal journey — spurred by the loss of his grandmother and his father’s near-fatal stroke due to undiagnosed sleep apnea — fuels his loop commitment to raising awareness about sleep disorders. As the author of “The Wake Up Call: How You Sleep Is How You Live and the 2023 Sleep Tech Talk Podcaster of the Year”, Arneaud continues to educate and advocate for sleep apnea awareness through regional television and radio platforms.

A special focus for this year’s World Sleep Day events is Women’s sleep health and how they are impacted by poor sleep. 

Women face unique challenges throughout their lives, including hormonal effects related to menopause, pregnancy, and caretaking responsibilities. 

To address these concerns, ISD Health Solutions has assembled an esteemed panel of experts specialising in women’s sleep health.

The conference will feature distinguished speakers such as Dr Michael Abrahams, a renowned OBGYN, and Dr Terry Baker, a Pulmonologist and Internist who will provide insights into sleep-related breathing disorders for women. 

Additionally, the webinar will include presentations from Dr Leroy Campbell, a Jamaica-born women’s health doctor practicing in the Cayman Islands, and Dr Tanya Beaubrun, a specialist in women’s sleep health. Also participating is Dr Roberta Corona from Bioconnect Medical in Barbados, an OBGYN with a focus on women's health. 

As part of the initiative to raise awareness, ISD Health Solutions is collaborating with the Diabetes Association of Jamaica (DAJ), the Diabetes Association of Trinidad and Tobago (DATT), and the University of the West Indies (UWI) to conduct the first research study on the correlation between diabetes and sleep health. 

This study aims to provide critical insights into how sleep disorders impact diabetic sufferers and to improve regional healthcare outcomes.

Further expanding access to sleep diagnostics and treatment, ISD Health Solutions has partnered with Fontana Pharmacy, which will serve as a key distribution point for sleep testing devices. 

Patients will be able to collect their home sleep study tests and CPAP supplies from Fontana’s brick-and-mortar locations. 

Additionally, ISD Health Solutions will be launching Carib CPAP Distilled Water, a specially formulated distilled water line for CPAP users, which will be available at Fontana Pharmacy and other participating outlets.

The World Sleep Day events also mark ISD Health Solutions' ongoing work with the National Health Fund to enhance awareness of chronic illnesses linked to sleep apnea and other sleep-related conditions. 

The organisation intends to build a strong regional network of healthcare providers, medical practitioners and dentists, to ensure a multidisciplinary approach to addressing sleep disorders.

ISD Health Solutions is also authorised Caribbean distributor for ResMed products, providing cutting-edge FDA-approved sleep testing and treatment solutions. Sleep study results are interpreted by Board-Certified Sleep Physicians accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), ensuring that Caribbean residents receive the highest level of expertise in the area of sleep medicine.

Sleep apnea is one of the most undiagnosed medical conditions globally, affecting nearly one billion people Worldwide, with an estimated that more than two million people in the English-speaking Caribbean suffer from sleep apnea. 

Studies indicate that sleep deprivation leads to significant economic losses, with US businesses incurring approximately US$136 billion annually due to health-related productivity loss. 

While similar data is not yet validated for the Caribbean, the impact on businesses and individuals is believed to be just as substantial.

Evidence also shows that inadequate sleep is linked to decreased productivity, impaired cognitive function, and increased risks of mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression that may lead to suicide. 

Addressing sleep disorders is not just about improving public health and workforce efficiency and safety, but is also about enhancing personal well-being and saving relationships.