Disparities in Spatial Access to Sleep Health Care in the United States: A Population-Based Geospatial Analysis

To examine spatial access to sleep health care in the United States and investigate associations with demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, thereby identifying high-risk communities with limited spatial access to sleep health service.

A cross-sectional population-based geospatial analysis.

Residents in US Census tracts across the 48 contiguous states, Alaska, and Hawaii.

The 2020 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2010 rural-urban commuting area codes, 2020 Area Deprivation Index, and sleep care provider locations from the National Provider Identifier file were used to assess the spatial access and related demographic/socioeconomic characteristics. Spatial access was measured by spatial access ratio using enhanced 2-step floating catchment area methods. The associations were investigated using logistic regression analysis and multivariate linear regression analysis.

A total of 45.8 million residents experienced low spatial access to sleep health care. Spatial access decreased in rural and high Area Deprivation Index areas, and in areas characterized by higher population with uninsured status, vehicle unavailability, internet unavailability, cognitive difficulties, and hearing difficulties. With a 10% increase in the percentage of the racial minority (non-white) population, metropolitan census tracts experienced an increase in spatial access (3.268%), whereas micropolitan (-1.526%) and rural (-4.493%) areas experienced a decrease in spatial access. Similar findings were observed within the ethnic minority (Hispanic or Latino) population.

Disparities exist in spatial access to sleep health care across the United States, especially for disadvantaged individuals. Racial/ethnic minorities exhibit contrasting spatial access patterns in urban and rural areas, with those in rural areas facing more challenges in spatial access to sleep health care.