# The effect of insufficient sleep on cardiovascular disease disparity between blacks and whites

> **NIH NIH K01** · NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · 2020 · $179,820

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Background: Blacks have higher rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD), CVD risk markers (elevated blood
pressure, cholesterol, and unhealthy glucose levels), and CVD mortality, compared to whites. Despite
advances in understanding how CVD disparity is engendered and preventing CVD, blacks compared to whites
are still disproportionately burdened by CVD, particularly CVD risk markers. Therefore, more novel targets that
drive racial disparity in CVD risk markers must be investigated in order to reduce and eliminate CVD disparity.
Evidence indicating that insufficient sleep (sleep duration ≤6hrs/24 hr. cycle), which disproportionately affects
blacks, is linked to concurrent and future CVD risk may offer a potentially novel mechanism explaining CVD
risk disparity between blacks and whites. However, it is unclear whether insufficient sleep directly or indirectly
drives disparity in CVD risk between blacks and whites? Therefore, the purpose of the proposed K01 study is
to investigate whether insufficient sleep independently explains a significant portion of racial disparity in CVD
risk markers, while adjusting for the confounding effects of sleep apnea and insomnia (two sleep disorders that
cause insufficient sleep). Additionally, since 55% of insufficient sleepers are obese and blacks are twice as
likely to be obese compared to whites, the candidate will investigate the independent and combined effects of
insufficient sleep and obesity on the disparity in CVD risk markers between blacks and whites.
Research: In the proposed K01, the candidate, Dr. Azizi Seixas, will investigate: 1) whether insufficient sleep
and/or obesity play an important role in the relationship between race/ethnicity and CVD risk, controlling for
sleep apnea and insomnia; and 2) what sleep duration and body mass index profile is associated with lowest
probability of CVD risk among blacks and whites, using advanced mathematical analytic methods and complex
system simulation modeling.
Training: The training plan builds upon the candidate's background and experience in conducting research in
sleep disorders and cardiovascular disease (e.g. hypertension and stroke), among minority populations. During
the K01, the candidate will receive training in sleep science and physiology, cardiovascular disease and
advanced analytical, machine learning, and simulation modeling. He will perform secondary analyses of data
from the Sleep Heart Health Study, a NHLBI-funded study. The pedagogical approach includes one-on-one
mentorship, course work, mentored laboratory training (practicum), and attendance to targeted conferences
and seminars, with the common goal of supporting his transition to being an independent scientist.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9841428
- **Project number:** 5K01HL135452-04
- **Recipient organization:** NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Azizi Seixas
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $179,820
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-01-15 → 2021-10-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9841428

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9841428, The effect of insufficient sleep on cardiovascular disease disparity between blacks and whites (5K01HL135452-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9841428. Licensed CC0.

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