What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cohort. Population: Sleep disorders (n=128). Primary outcome: Prevalence of sleep disorders (insomnia, OSA, and COMISA).

What does this research mean for the field?

Among Black and Hispanic women of childbearing age, there is a high prevalence of sleep disorders, including insomnia (49%), obstructive sleep apnea (21%), and comorbid insomnia and sleep apnea (10.9%). Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to characterize demographic, socioeconomic, and sleep disorder patterns in Black and Hispanic women of childbearing age to inform interventions for health disparities.

May 20, 2026

C30-05 Demographic and Sleep Characteristics of Black and Hispanic Women of Childbearing Age: Insights From the Phenotypes of Sleep Health Study

Key Result

Among 128 Black and Hispanic women of childbearing age, the prevalence of insomnia was 49%, obstructive sleep apnea 21%, and comorbid insomnia and sleep apnea 10.9%.

Key Points

This study aims to characterize demographic, socioeconomic, and sleep disorder patterns in Black and Hispanic women of childbearing age to inform interventions for health disparities.
Mixed-methods cohort study using baseline data from the Phenotypes of Sleep Health Study (R01HL168770).
Participants included non-pregnant Black or Hispanic women aged 18-49 who completed questionnaires and one night of polysomnography.
Data analyzed includes demographic variables, sleep indices such as AHI, ISI, and classifications of sleep disorders.
Among 128 participants, insomnia prevalence was 49%, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was 21%, and comorbid insomnia and sleep apnea (COMISA) was 10.9%.
The mean AHI was 3.47 ± 5.50 and the mean ISI score was 8.48 ± 5.55.
Elevated systolic blood pressure (>130 mmHg) was observed in 8.6% of the participants.

Study Design

Type

Cohort (n=128)

Structured PICO

Population

128 non-pregnant Black or Hispanic women aged 18-49 years

Outcome

Demographic, socioeconomic, and sleep disorder patterns (including apnea-hypopnea index, Insomnia Severity Index, arousals, and sleep disorder classification)

Black and Hispanic women of childbearing age exhibit a high prevalence of sleep deficiency, insomnia, and comorbid insomnia and sleep apnea, highlighting the need for early identification to reduce future cardiometabolic risk.

Abstract

Abstract Background Black and Hispanic women of childbearing age (WOCBA; 18-49 years) experience disproportionate risks of adverse cardiometabolic and pregnancy outcomes. Sleep health, a critical yet understudied determinant of these outcomes, remains poorly characterized in this population. This study aimed to describe the demographic, socioeconomic, and sleep disorder patterns among WOCBA to inform tailored interventions that address sleep-related health disparities. Methods This analysis used baseline data from the Phenotypes of Sleep Health Among Black and Hispanic Women study (R01HL168770), an NHLBI-funded, mixed-methods cohort examining multidimensional sleep health. Eligible participants were non-pregnant Black or Hispanic women aged 18-49 years who completed demographic and sleep questionnaires and one night of home level-II polysomnography (Sleep Profiler PSG2). Variables analyzed included age, race/ethnicity, education, employment, student and parent status, and shift work. Sleep indices included the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), cortical and micro-arousals, and sleep disorder classification (insomnia only, obstructive sleep apnea OSA only, and comorbid insomnia and sleep apnea COMISA). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize demographic and sleep characteristics. Results Among 128 participants, the mean (±SD) age was 28.3 ± 9.0 years. The sample included 36 non-Hispanic Black, 13 Hispanic Black, and 79 non-Black Hispanic women. Overall, 75.6% were employed, 70.9% were current students, and 30.5% had at least one child. Most participants (80.4%) completed some college or higher education, and 29% reported non-day or variable shift work. The prevalence of insomnia was 49%, OSA 21%, and COMISA 10.9%. Mean (±SD) AHI was 3.47 ± 5.50, and mean (±SD) ISI score was 8.48 ± 5.55. Elevated systolic blood pressure (130 mmHg) was observed in 8.6% of participants. Conclusion This study provides one of the first detailed demographic and sleep disorder profiles of Black and Hispanic WOCBA. The findings reveal a high prevalence of sleep deficiency, insomnia, and COMISA within a young, largely educated cohort, underscoring the need for early identification and culturally responsive sleep health interventions to reduce future cardiometabolic risk. This abstract is funded by: NHLBI

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