The Need for Social and Environmental Determinants of Health Research to Understand and Intervene on Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Clin Chest Med. 2022 Jun;43(2):199-216. doi: 10.1016/j.ccm.2022.02.002.

Abstract

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) disorder, affects at least 25 million adults in the United States and is associated with increased risk for hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Racial/ethnic minorities have a disproportionate burden of OSA along with the health sequelae associated with this condition. Despite supporting evidence of racial/ethnic disparities, few studies have investigated SDB including OSA among minoritized racial/ethnic groups. In this scoping review of the literature, the authors summarize current findings related to racial/ethnic disparities in OSA, identified social and environmental determinants of health, treatment inequities, and promising evidence-based interventions and conclude with future research directions.

Keywords: Health disparities; Health equity interventions; Obstructive sleep apnea; Race; Sleep disparities; Sleep-disordered breathing.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Ethnicity*
  • Humans
  • Racial Groups
  • Sleep Apnea, Obstructive* / therapy
  • United States / epidemiology