Black Women Disproportionately Affected by Insomnia
Editor Notes

Black women face continual stress in America with issues of both gender and race playing a role in their stress experiences.

For centuries, Black women were forced to take on the roles of mother, nurturer and breadwinner out of economic and social necessity. This Superwoman role has been necessary for survival. Also, Black women are continuing to experience gun violence, safety issues and poverty in their communities. These experiences accumulate and result in chronic stress, according to a study in the National Library of Medicine: Superwoman Schema: African American Women’s Views on Stress, Strength, and Health.

Chronic stress is linked to adverse physical and mental health conditions including cardiovascular disease, lupus, insomnia and obesity. Stress can also present itself through migraines, hair loss, panic attacks, weight gain, depression and especially poor sleep patterns. Getting adequate sleep (a recommended 7 to 9 hours) is important for good health and well-being. During sleep, the body works to support healthy brain function and maintain physical health.

Chronic stress can cause the nervous system to maintain a heightened state of chronic arousal for extended periods of time. Being in a constant heightened state of alertness can delay how long it takes to fall asleep, disrupt sleep and cause rapid, anxious thoughts to occur at night. Insufficient sleep then triggers the body’s stress response system, leading to an increase in stress hormones, which further disrupts sleep. It becomes a vicious cycle between stress and loss of sleep (Insomnia).

Black women are disproportionately affected by insomnia. They are more likely to get less hours of sleep and have difficulties falling asleep and staying asleep. For Black women, their role as Superwoman in their communities can lead to these dysfunctional sleep patterns and postponing self-care. 

The feelings of needing to be Superwoman and take care of everyone can produce feelings of guilt when Black women want to take time for self-care including sleep. Regularly staying up late to finish tasks or thinking about daily responsibilities when trying to fall asleep contributes to inadequate sleep and additional stress. With the chronic stress of daily life for Black women, sleep gets put on the back burner.

 

References:

Black mothers trapped in unsafe neighborhoods signal the stressful health toll of gun violence in the U.S.

Superwoman Schema: African American Women’s Views on Stress, Strength, and Health

Trending Topics

Features

Download and distribute powerful vaccination QI resources for your community.

Sign up now to support health equity and sustainable health outcomes in your community.

MCED tests use a simple blood draw to screen for many kinds of cancer at once.

FYHN is a bridge connecting health information providers to BIPOC communities in a trusted environment.

Discover an honest look at our Medicare system.

ARC was launched to create a network of community clinicians to diversify and bring clinical trials to communities of color and other communities that have been underrepresented.

The single most important purpose of our healthcare system is to reduce patient risk for an acute event.

Related Posts
AI at the Crossroads of Health Equity
Erica Daily
FDA Approves LEQEMBI IQLIK: First At-Home Injection for Alzheimer’s Maintenance Therapy
FYH Team
Fidelis Care Maternal Grants Expand Postpartum Health

investorshangout

Scroll to Top
Featured Articles
Artificial intelligence in healthcare highlighting disparities and opportunities for minority communities.
AI at the Crossroads of Health Equity
Erica Daily
LEQEMBI-IQLIK-Autoinjector-Alzheimers-Treatment _ Senior in couch smiling
FDA Approves LEQEMBI IQLIK: First At-Home Injection for Alzheimer’s Maintenan...
FYH Team
Fidelis Care Maternal Grants Expand Postpartum Health
Fidelis Care Maternal Grants Expand Postpartum Health

investorshangout

Health leaders launch new Latino-focused data hub to combat NIH budget cuts
Hispanic Health Institute Launches to Address Disparities

clickondetroit

Sickle Cell in the Black Community
Sickle Cell Disease: The Impact on the Black Community
Sea Sombar Gender Care Battle in Pennsylvania | Fyh.news
Sea Sombar Gender Care Battle in Pennsylvania | Fyh.news

wtae

Categories
AI
BIPOC News
Cancer
Clinical Trials
Diseases of the Body
Environment
Health Data
Health Equity Events
Health Policy
Heart Health
kidney Health
LGBTQ Health
Subscribe to our newsletter to receive our latest news​
All Stories
Artificial intelligence in healthcare highlighting disparities and opportunities for minority communities.
AI at the Crossroads of Health Equity
Erica Daily
LEQEMBI-IQLIK-Autoinjector-Alzheimers-Treatment _ Senior in couch smiling
FDA Approves LEQEMBI IQLIK: First At-Home Injection for Alzheimer’s Maintenan...
FYH Team
Fidelis Care Maternal Grants Expand Postpartum Health
Fidelis Care Maternal Grants Expand Postpartum Health

investorshangout

BIPOC News
Sickle Cell in the Black Community
Sickle Cell Disease: The Impact on the Black Community
African American Mental Health
Caregiver and Birth Parent Influences on Depression and Anxiety in African Am...

pubmed

Fish Intake in Relation to Colorectal Cancer Risk in Black Women's Health
Fish Intake in Relation to Colorectal Cancer Risk in Black Women's Health

pubmed

Environment
Hurricane Katrina Anniversary 20 Years Later in New Orleans fyh.news
Hurricane Katrina Anniversary: 20 Years Later in New Orleans

democracynow

energy poverty crisis
Federal Cuts to Energy Assistance Programs Further Crisis in Maryland

citybuzz.co

UCLA Climate Dashboard Highlights Latino Climate Inequity | fyh.news
UCLA Climate Dashboard Highlights Latino Climate Inequity | fyh.news

dailybruin

Work Force
set of hands from different races
How Diversity in Health Care Improves Patient Outcomes
A group of diverse nursing students smiling on campus in Michigan, representing top accredited nursing programs in 2025
Top Nursing Schools in Michigan – Explore Accredited BSN & MSN Programs

allnurses

HIV Care Black Men COVID 19s Impact in the US South
HIV Care Black Men: COVID-19’s Impact in the US South

pubmed

Clinical Trials
ID 225485086 © Piyapong Thongcharoen | Dreamstime.com
AAP Breaks with Federal Guidance, Recommends COVID-19 Shots for Healthy Young...

Community health worker speaking with an elder in a diverse neighborhood, representing racial and Indigenous health equity outreach.
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation invites applications for research to advance r...

philanthropynewsdigest

TSU Breast Cancer Screening Program Awarded $2M Grant
TSU Breast Cancer Screening Program Awarded $2M Grant | Fyh.news

stylemagazine

Vaccines and Outbreaks
dreamstime_s_255228734
Your Child’s Doctor May Now Recommend Covid Shots – Here’s Why
ID 225485086 © Piyapong Thongcharoen | Dreamstime.com
AAP Breaks with Federal Guidance, Recommends COVID-19 Shots for Healthy Young...

Illustration of a multicultural team of doctors and nurses caring for newborns in a hospital nursery, symbolizing RSV immunization and health equity.
Shielding Newborns: How Hospitals Can Close the RSV Protection Gap
Other Categories
AI
Cancer
Read the latest Cancer stories trending around the world
Diseases of the Body
Read about the latest Diseases of the Body trending around the world
Friday Webinars
Every Friday, we bring you insightful webinars covering critical topics in healthcare, data equity, and policy reform.
Health Data
Read the latest Health Data stories trending around the world
Health Equity Events
Read the best Health Equity Events around the country.
Health Policy
Read the latest Health Policy stories trending around the world
Heart Health
Read the latest on Heart Health News, Stories and Tips.
kidney Health
Read more trending News about Kidney Health, Stories and Tips.
LGBTQ Health
Read the latest LGBTQ Health stories trending around the world
Lift Every Voice Patient Network
Mental Health
Read the latest Mental Health stories trending around the world