Sleep Equity Project
Why These Programs Exist
The gap in the system
The healthcare system is not prioritizing the sleep health of underserved and under-resourced individuals, neighborhoods, and groups.
The gap in the clinic
Health clinics across Chicago have little to no information about sleep health, sleep disorders, and the connections to developing and worsening of chronic health conditions.
Each program below targets a different part of that gap, from Chicago students to the clinicians who care for our communities.
PROGRAM 01 · CHILDREN
Building Healthy Sleep Habits Early
The gap
Poor sleep is especially hard on school-age children. Its impact shows up most often in academic performance and behavior.
What we do
We run recurring sleep health workshops for Chicago Public Schools 7th and 8th graders enrolled in an enrichment program, giving students practical tools to protect their sleep.
Get involved
Do you run a school or youth program in Chicago? Contact us about bringing a sleep health workshop to your students.
PROGRAM 02 · NEIGHBORHOODS
Putting Sleep on the Community Health Agenda
The gap
The sleep health of people in neighborhoods and communities across Chicago is poor, and their health is suffering. Noise, high crime rates, and limited green space all make healthy sleep harder.
What we do
We partner with Community Health Workers at Sinai Urban Health Institute (SUHI) to put sleep inequities on the community health agenda.
Get involved
Community organizations can partner with us to bring sleep health into their neighborhood outreach.
PROGRAM 03 · EDUCATION
Training the People Who Serve Our Communities
The gap
Closing the gap depends on the people who serve underserved communities understanding how sleep affects health.
What we do
We are a semiannual guest lecturer on sleep health and health inequities for the Malcolm X Community College Community Health Worker Program.
We have mentored and supervised 12 Master of Public Health students on sleep health inequities.
Get involved
Are you a graduate student in public health or social work? See what our interns have worked on.
PROGRAM 04 · HEALTH CENTERS
Bringing Sleep Medicine to Primary Care
The gap
Health clinics across Chicago have little to no information about sleep health, sleep disorders, and their connection to developing and worsening chronic health conditions.
What we do
We bring sleep specialist physicians to lecture the primary care staff of a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) on sleep medicine.
Get involved
Do you manage a community health center interested in expanding sleep services? We would love to hear from you.
PROGRAM 05 · AWARENESS
Raising Awareness Where People Live and Seek Care
The gap
Sleep disorders contribute to poor mental health and chronic health conditions, yet many people do not seek treatment.
What we do
Sharing sleep health information at health fairs
Lecturing to mental health clinicians in public and private practice about sleep and mental health
Discussing sleep health with the local Community Mental Health Board
Get involved
Invite us to speak at your health fair, clinic, or community event.