2.X.1. Sleep Health Disparities across the life-course: from research to public health policy

Abstract

Abstract Poor sleep health is a recognized common problem across the life cycle, globally. Factors that contribute to this problem include the demands of a “Western” lifestyle (urgency, productivity), economic stressors, social and environmental determinants of health, and global crises including international conflicts, political tensions, and climate change. There is a growing consensus that optimizing sleep health should be a public health priority because poor sleep patterns are a modifiable risk factor for myriad health outcomes, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, cognitive decline, mental illness, and early mortality. In Canada, a nationwide sleep consortium funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) was recently formed with a mandate to generate new knowledge that will inform clinical practice and support public health initiatives to deliver resources where they are most needed. The proposed workshop organized by the Chronic Disease EPH section will start with a general overview of the impact of sleep health disparities across the life-course, from childhood to older age, as well as discuss evidence-based public health approaches to promote sleep hygiene and mitigate the risk of adverse health outcomes, including chronic disease (Saverio Stranges). It will be followed by three presentations to address the root causes of sleep health disparities and their impact on chronic disease (Dayna Johnson); participatory research with families and care providers on infant sleep intervention development (Elizabeth Keys), and strategies to address common sleep disorders among middle-aged and older adults (Tetyana Kendzerska). Key messages • Sleep health disparities are a neglected public health issue. • Optimizing sleep health is both a clinical and public health priority, as sleep patterns represent a modifiable risk factor for a range of adverse health outcomes.