Ethnicity and Prevalence of Sleep Disorders

Abstract

Sleep and sleep disorders may vary across ethnic groups because of differences in genetic, sociocultural, and environmental influences. Many sources of data indicate that some ethnic groups of minority status have an increased prevalence of short and long sleep durations. Sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea may also vary in prevalence and severity across ethnic groups. Further research addressing ethnic differences in sleep disorders may shed light on the risk factors for sleep disorder, as well as help identify vulnerable groups who are predisposed to sleep disorders and associated comorbidities. Understanding the differences in the distributions of sleep traits across population groups may also elucidate the sources of health disparities for conditions such as obesity and diabetes, which are linked to sleep disorders. Further methodological work is also needed to better understand the extent to which observed differences are due to study methods, notably in the definition and measurement of the disorder and ethnicity, as well as potential confounding by other factors related to social status or position.