Managing obstructive sleep apnoea and achieving equity: implications for health services

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Sleep Medicine
• Health Equity

Background:

• Poor sleep significantly impacts health, safety, and well-being, affecting one-third of life.
• Existing research indicates disparities in sleep health between Māori and non-Māori adults in New Zealand.
• Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is a key area of concern regarding these sleep health inequalities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the prevalence of OSAS in Aotearoa/New Zealand.
• To prioritize the needs of Māori in understanding and addressing OSAS.
• To identify and discuss challenges in OSAS diagnosis and treatment within New Zealand.

Main Methods:

• The paper outlines a series of studies designed to evaluate OSAS prevalence.
• Methodologies focused on assessing the scope of the problem, particularly for Māori populations.
• Analysis included examination of diagnostic and treatment pathways for OSAS.

Main Results:

• Studies were conducted to determine the number of individuals affected by OSAS in New Zealand.
• Research specifically aimed to understand the impact on Māori communities.
• The paper identifies key issues within the current OSAS diagnostic and treatment landscape.

Conclusions:

• Significant inequalities in sleep health, specifically OSAS, exist between Māori and non-Māori in New Zealand.
• Addressing these disparities requires a focused approach on the needs of Māori.
• Strategies are proposed to reduce inequalities in sleep health and improve OSAS management.