Factors Influencing Sleep Health Disparities in Adults from Rural Appalachia - Summary - MDSpire
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Factors Influencing Sleep Health Disparities in Adults from Rural Appalachia

  • By

  • Mairead E. Moloney

  • Emily Slade

  • Joon Chung

  • Maliha Mehnaz Mitu

  • Michael A. Grandner

  • Daniela C. Moga

  • April 9, 2026

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Objective:

To investigate the sociodemographic, health behavior, and psychosocial associations of sleep outcomes among rural Appalachian adults.

Approach:
    Key Findings:
    • 64.9% of participants had clinically significant insomnia.
    • 51.3% had elevated OSA risk.
    • 44.8% reported insufficient sleep.
    • Insomnia prevalence showed a socioeconomic gradient, declining from 82.9% among low earners to 44.4% among high earners.
    • Significant associations found between sleep outcomes and factors like sex, employment status, health behaviors, and social support.
    Interpretation:

    Rural Appalachian adults experience disproportionately high rates of sleep deficiencies, influenced by social determinants such as income and health behaviors.

    Limitations:
    • Cross-sectional design limits causal inference.
    • Self-report measures may introduce bias.
    • Female overrepresentation affects generalizability.
    • Required internet access may exclude some individuals.
    Conclusion:

    Findings highlight the need for targeted, culturally appropriate interventions to address sleep health disparities in rural Appalachian populations.

Original Source(s)

Factors Influencing Sleep Health Disparities in Adults from Rural Appalachia

  • by Mairead E. Moloney, Emily Slade, Joon Chung, Maliha Mehnaz Mitu, Michael A. Grandner, Daniela C. Moga

  • April 9, 2026

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