Understanding sleep and development in young children

Socio-ecological factors linked to co-occurring early childhood sleep health disparities and developmental outcomes

NIH-funded research University of Oregon · NIH-11045278

This project looks at why some young children, especially those from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds, experience sleep problems and how these issues affect their growth and learning.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Oregon NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Eugene, United States)
Project IDNIH-11045278 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

We know that sleep problems like snoring, sleep apnea, and not getting enough sleep are more common in certain groups of young children and can impact their brain development and social-emotional skills. This project aims to uncover the reasons behind these differences in sleep health and how they connect to developmental outcomes. By understanding the family, community, and environmental factors involved, we hope to find new ways to help children get better sleep and support their healthy development. This work focuses on children from birth to 11 years old, with a particular interest in preschoolers.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This research is relevant for families with young children, particularly those from racially and ethnically minoritized backgrounds, who may be experiencing sleep difficulties or developmental concerns.

Not a fit: Patients whose sleep issues are not linked to socio-ecological factors or early childhood development may not directly benefit from this specific research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new strategies and interventions that help reduce sleep health disparities and improve developmental outcomes for young children.

How similar studies have performed: While socioeconomic disparities in sleep are known, the specific mechanisms linking co-occurring sleep deficiencies and their developmental impacts in racially minoritized preschoolers are not well understood, making this a novel area of focus.

Where this research is happening

Eugene, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.