Understanding and Addressing Structural Racism and Health Inequities: The 'Sleep Exposome Across the Life Course Example

Structural racism is the main determinant of racial/ethnic disparities in health. I will identify pathways by which structural racism results in socially-disadvantaged vs. socially-advantaged groups having less access to health promoting resources related to goods and services and greater exposure to health damaging environments. As an essential pillar of health alongside nutrition and physical activity, I will leverage what researchers know about the science of sleep (including endogenuos and exogenous modulators within both an historical and sociopolitical context) along with its implications for a wide range of mental and physical health outcomes to illustrate how structural racism likely manifests into health disparities. Interventions and potential solutions (including innovative research approaches) will be discussed.