WellnessOptions Magazine issue06

The publication of this issue of WellnessOptions marks our first anniversary. We launched the premier issue on November 20, 2000, with themes on hypertension and vision health. In subsequent issues, WellnessOptions presented perspectives on sleep and insomnia, allergy and the immune system, diabetes and body image, and sexuality and sexual dysfunction. These topics were not chosen at random, they represent the collective input from more than forty academic, clinical, and scientific experts from our honourary editorial advisory board. These professionals are from different disciplines of health-care, including Western medicine, naturopathic medicine and oriental medicine. They endorsed our concept of an integrated health magazine, and provide us with editorial direction and guidelines.

We are thankful to them, and to all the other distinguished health-care experts, scientists, and journalists who contributed to WellnessOptions. They taught us how our bodies function and provide us with information for treatment perspectives and healthy lifestyle.

Since the first issue, you, our dear reader have given us encouraging support. We have been flooded with e-mails, letters, personal phone calls and subscription requests after the publication of each issue. Most messages are enthusiastic, supportive and complimentary. There are also occasional critical remarks and creative suggestions. We have since incorporated a number of ideas from our readers. This is your magazine and we welcome your continuous input.

Corporate subscription is an idea brought to us by our readers. A health magazine without any product, professional, cultural, or gender agendas, is a valuable tool to promote health awareness within an organization. Healthier employees translate into a more efficient and productive working team.

We are encouraged by the large number of positive comments from medical professionals and health organization members. Such support confirms that we are following the correct path, and are bringing appropriate and useful information to our readers.

We are grateful to our display and directory advertisers, particularly those who have been with us since the premier issue. They shared our vision and believed that the public would welcome a magazine containing well-researched and reliable health information from a diversity of perspectives. We appreciate their confidence on a young magazine such as ours. Continuing support from advertisers is essential for the growth of WellnessOptions.

WellnessOptions is now established as Canada’s national magazine promoting integrated treatment and healthy lifestyle. Over 140,000 copies of each issue of WellnessOptions are distributed from coast to coast, with the majority as an insert to selected subscribers of The Globe & Mail. Starting with this issue, WellnessOptions will also be available at Indigo, Chapters, and Smith Coles bookstores across Canada. In addition, through Commercial Press Bookstores, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore will become our first group of international distribution sites outside North America. In 2002, WellnessOptions will be distributed in the United States and other Asian markets.

WellnessOptions certainly has come a long way in 12 months. We are a small independent company financed by personal savings with additional supports from friends and relatives. The premier issue was produced by two full time staff, and a small number of very enthusiastic professionals on a part-time basis. Since then, the WellnessOptions family has grown to the group you are looking at on this page. I am comfortable to speak on behalf of everyone at WellnessOptions, “In spite of all the hard work, and the periodic deprivation of sleep, we have a wonderful time working at WellnessOptions. We have come to understand our bodies better, how the body operates in times of sickness, and ways to keep healthy. It is gratifying to hear from our readers that they appreciate our efforts. This keep us going strong.”

A big THANK YOU from all of us to you, and from me to everyone associated with WellnessOptions.

Y. Michael Chan, Publisher