Studies show that Hispanic Americans are at greater risk for chronic diseases that are linked to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) such as heart disease, hypertension, cancer, diabetes, obesity, and liver disease.  Click HERE to read more.

This condition is made worse by the fact that as a percentage, fewer Hispanic Americans have health insurance that will pay the cost of OSA diagnosis and treatment.

Considering that traditional OSA treatment, such as a CPAP machine, costs approximately $800 every five years plus $75 per year for replacement and maintenance parts, OSA is a significant unmet health threat to the Hispanic American community.

“Hispanic Americans are nearly three times more likely than whites to be unisured” – National Council of LaRaza, Fast Facts: Latinos and Healthcare

“Sleep apnea is associated with neurocognitive dysfunction in adult Hispanics living in the United States”   Sleep apnea linked to worsened neurocognitive function in Hispanic women,  American Academy of Neurology, Alberto R. Ramos, MD, MSPH, Wassim Tarraf, PhD, Tatjana Rundek, MD, et. al, Neurology 2015;84:1–8

“Hispanics who have sleep apnea may be at an increased risk for hearing loss, according to data pulled from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos.”  Link between sleep apnea and hearing loss found among Hispanics, American Thoracic Society, May 20, 2014

“Very little sleep research has been done in U.S. Hispanics. However, based on the available literature and the high prevalence of risk factors in Hispanics, such as obesity, diabetes, living in the inner city, and use of alcohol, the prevalence of such important sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea and sleep habits such as poor sleep hygiene are suspected to be high.” Sleep Health in U.S. Hispanic Population – A Review – Sleep VOLUME 33, ISSUE 07, July 1, 2010