Understanding how sleep health affects Black sexual minority men's health disparities
Official title: Examining the Mechanisms and Consequences of Sleep Health Inequities Affecting Black Sexual Minority Men
Funded at Rand Corporation · NIH-11145638 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how sleep affects the health of Black sexual minority men and aims to understand the challenges they face due to stigma and discrimination, using surveys and interviews to gather their experiences over a year.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rand Corporation NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Santa Monica, United States) |
| Project start | August 2, 2024 |
| Project end | March 20, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $599,087 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MD019278-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11145638 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Black sexual minority men who may be experiencing health disparities related to HIV, mental health, and sleep issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not identify as Black sexual minority men or those without significant health disparities may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the health inequities faced by Black sexual minority men, particularly focusing on how sleep health influences their overall well-being. By employing a community-based participatory approach, the study will gather data through surveys, daily diaries, and objective sleep monitoring over a year. Participants will be followed up at three intervals to assess the impact of stigma and discrimination on their sleep patterns and health outcomes. Additionally, in-depth interviews will provide qualitative insights into their experiences and coping mechanisms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health interventions tailored for Black sexual minority men, addressing both sleep health and the broader social determinants of health.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that addressing social determinants, including sleep health, can significantly improve health outcomes in marginalized populations, suggesting a promising avenue for this study.
Where this research is happening
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Rand Corporation
Santa Monica, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dong, Lu — Rand Corporation
- Study coordinator: Dong, Lu
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.