Research Project Summary
Heart disease is the second leading cause of mortality among Hispanics in the United States, with alarming disparities observed in specific communities. In Cumberland County, New Jersey, where Hispanics represent 33% of the population, making them the second-largest ethnic group, the mortality rate due to coronary heart disease surpasses the state average significantly (174.2 vs. 99.5 deaths per 100,000). Arterial stiffness, widely recognized as a robust predictor of future cardiovascular events, and the prevalence of poor sleep quality and insomnia are fundamental factors in comprehending cardiovascular outcomes (Saz-Lara et al., 2022; Sunbul et al., 2022). Furthermore, the influence of social determinants of health (SDOH) on cardiovascular health outcomes is well-documented (Kreatsoulas & Anand, 2010; Siengsukon, 2020). Notably, there is a dearth of studies investigating the intricate connections between arterial stiffness, sleep quality, and access to health services within the low-income Hispanic adult population (Patel et al., 2015; Schutte et al., 2020). This research gap underscores the need for a comprehensive study that addresses health disparities, particularly concerning limited healthcare access, leading to delayed diagnoses and inadequate management of cardiovascular risk factors, ultimately impacting arterial stiffness. Recognizing the compounding effects of poor sleep quality and healthcare barriers, this study seeks to fill this critical gap.
Research Project Goals
Our long-term goal is to inform targeted interventions, enhance access to sleep assessments and treatments, reduce health disparities, and advocate for healthcare policies that emphasize the importance of accessible healthcare services in underserved communities, thereby contributing to the overall well-being of low-income Hispanic adults and advancing health equity.
Research Project Objectives
Aims of this cross-sectional research project are: 1) to explore the connections between arterial stiffness and sleep quality within the specific, understudied demographic of low-income Hispanic adults. 2) to examine the mediating role of Access to Health Services in these complex relationships.