Biobehavioral Health Spring '25 Colloquium - Dayna Johnson

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“Sleep Health Disparities: A Biopsychosocial Approach to Understanding and Intervening”

Sleep health has emerged as a critical determinant of cardiometabolic health, cognitive function, and overall well-being, yet significant disparities in sleep health persist across racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups in the United States. Dr. Dayna A. Johnson, a leading sleep epidemiologist, will present cutting-edge research examining how social and environmental factors intersect to create and maintain these disparities. Drawing from population-based studies and novel methodological approaches, this talk will explore the multifaceted determinants of sleep health - from neighborhood environments and cultural contexts to individual-level stress. Dr. Johnson will highlight recent findings on how poor sleep health disproportionately affects marginalized communities, leading to downstream health consequences. The presentation will conclude with a discussion of promising multilevel intervention strategies to promote health equity through improved sleep.