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David Gergen, Andre Collins | NFLPA Director, Dr. Anthony Scianni
The Living Heart Foundation and Pro Player Health Alliance (PPHA), with support from the Professional Athletes Foundation and National Football League Players Association, conducted an NFL retired players overall health screening during the Pro Bowl weekend on January 28, 2017 at the University of Central Florida . Only American Sleep and Breathing Academy (ASBA) dentists were selected as dental sleep experts - Dr. Tara Griffin, Dr. Anthony Scianni, Dr. Zach Holder and Dr. Glenn Macfarlane.
"When a player's athletic career ends, the level of exercise is reduced dramatically while caloric intake often remains high. This could lead to obesity, along with other serious comorbidities," said Andre Collins, Executive Director of the Professional Athletes Foundation and NFLPA Director of Former Players.
The event was an enormous success that saw over 60 players register and attend. With obstructive sleep apnea being so prevalent among retired NFL players, the dental sleep room was completely filled for the entire duration of the screening which lead to 46 players being found at high risk of having sleep apnea and later being tested for the sleep disorder . Those patients will be referred to and cared for (when medically indicated) by three ASBA dentists in the Orlando and surrounding areas to ensure quality care.
Pro Player Health Alliance teamed up with the Living Heart Foundation to provide additional education regarding sleep disorders. The goal of Pro Player Health Alliance is to provide healthy long term solutions for NFL players with sleep disorders and spread awareness together across the nation.
David Gergen, President of PPHA, has stated that through Living Heart Foundation and Pro Player Health Alliance, they are looking into expanding the program. For more information on how you can become involved in these screenings contact Pro Player Health Alliance, American Sleep and Breathing Academy or David Gergen directly at 602-478-9713 or via email at gxployer@aol.com.
Dr. Anthony Scianni and David Gergen at the Pro Bowl