Addressing sleep deserts: A proposed call for action

Hrayr Attarian; Galit Levi Dunietz; Ronald Gavidia-Romero; Erica Jansen; Dayna A Johnson; Alexa Kelman; Kristen Knutson

doi:10.1016/j.sleh.2023.09.008

Addressing sleep deserts: A proposed call for action

Sleep Health. 2024 Feb;10(1S):S15-S18. doi: 10.1016/j.sleh.2023.09.008. Epub 2023 Nov 4.

Authors

Hrayr Attarian¹, Galit Levi Dunietz², Ronald Gavidia-Romero², Erica Jansen², Dayna A Johnson³, Alexa Kelman², Kristen Knutson⁴

Affiliations

¹ Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Chicago, Illinois, USA. Electronic address: h-attarian@northwestern.edu.
² University of Michigan Medical School, Department of Neurology, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
³ Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
⁴ Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

PMID: 37926658
DOI: 10.1016/j.sleh.2023.09.008

Abstract

Sleep deserts are a major cause of health inequity. They occur primarily in disadvantaged neighborhoods because of structural racism, social and environmental factors, and dearth of medical services. We describe several strategies that can serve as a feasible action plan to target structural racism, environmental pollution, and impact of climate change. We also suggest ways healthcare providers in these underserved areas can incorporate sleep medicine into their practice. Lastly, we highlight strategies to increase community awareness of sleep health in a culturally sensitive manner. There are several ways, from a policy level to healthcare that we can begin to eliminate sleep deserts, which is urgently needed.

Keywords: Climate change; Cultural sensitivity; Health equity; Pollution; Sleep deserts; Structural racism.

MeSH terms

Humans
Racism*