Sleeping Pill Manufacturer sponsored "reports"
Insomnia is a condition that is under-recognized, under-diagnosed, and as a result, under-treated," warned the National Sleep Foundation, as it proclaimed March 29 "Insomnia Awareness Day" and March 27 to April 2 "National Sleep Awareness Week."
A poll released by the nonprofit group disclosed that 50 percent of adult Americans have problems getting to sleep at least once a week, and 10 percent - about 22 million people - rarely get a good night's sleep. Those findings were reported by virtually all of the country's major newspapers and television networks, including The Sacramento Bee.
Lost in the somber warnings and survey results, however, was that the poll, the proclamations and the press kits that spread the information were paid for by sleeping pill manufacturers.
Or that 10 of 23 members of the National Sleep Foundation's board have, or have had, financial ties to sleeping pill manufacturers, the very same industry that represents the main source of revenue for the foundation.
Or that the New York public relations firm that contacted medical reporters about the poll also made sure to mention the mid-April release of Lunesta, the first sleeping pill approved for extended use by the federal Food and Drug Administration.
If all this seems a little incestuous, it's also an example of the relationships many not-for-profit health advocacy groups have with the definitely-for-profit health industry.
Sacramento Bee