Research
The research conducted by the Health and Development Lab is primarily focused in two areas: (1) Sickle Cell Disease and (2) Pediatric Health Disparities, with a Focus on Sleep and Pain.
Sickle Cell Disease
SCD is the most common inherited red blood cell disorder in the world, affecting approximately 100,000 Americans and millions worldwide. Individuals with SCD can face a host of medical complications (e.g., pain, poor sleep, fatigue, and organ damage), as well as psychological and social challenges, and difficulties accessing and using the health care system. Our work sheds light on the daily lives and experiences of individuals with SCD, with a focus on documenting both risk and resilience factors and processes within the population. We are also focused on testing and improving the implementation and dissemination of interventions for this population. Current projects in this area include:
- Characterizing the sleep experiences of people living with SCD.
- Exploring biopsychosocial factors (including sleep) and processes that influence SCD pain presentation, progression, and impact across the lifespan.
- Investigating SCD pain interventions, including those using ehealth technology and those focused on sleep and nutritional factors related to pain.
- Examining factors related to implementation and dissemination of sleep assessments and interventions for people living with SCD.
Pediatric Health Disparities, with a Focus on Sleep and Pain
Black youth are often at higher risk of poor physical and mental health outcomes and have less access to health care interventions. Our team is focused on addressing gaps in our understanding of the sleep and pain experiences of Black youth to inform the development, implementation, and dissemination of culturally-informed sleep and pain interventions for this population. In addition, emerging research indicates that sleep plays a role in maintaining health disparities. Poor sleep puts individuals at higher risk for pain, obesity, heart disease, and a host of other poor health outcomes. Our projects in this area include:
- Investigating racial disparities in sleep and pain outcomes and access to care.
- Determining how sleep influences the development and maintenance of racial health disparities.
- Collaborating with stakeholders to adapt, test, implement, and disseminate sleep and pain interventions for Black youth and their families, and ultimately promote health equity for this population.