PLENARY: Helen Bearpark Memorial Lecture: Jumping through hoops: navigating disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep conditions
| Saturday, October 19, 2024 |
| 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM |
| Arena 1B |
Details
Sleep is critical for health and wellbeing, but often overlooked in public health. Research shows that sleep health is unevenly distributed across populations and aligns with social disadvantage. Therefore, poor sleep is a key indicator of extensive disparities in physical and mental health, especially in First Nations people, culturally diverse communities and minoritised, underrepresented groups. This plenary session brings together a panel of experts with diverse backgrounds to discuss how improving sleep health can be a step towards achieving health equity. Attendees will gain insights into structural barriers that lead to poor sleep, evidence-based strategies, and the socioecological path towards tailored and inclusive interventions for promoting sleep health across various communities.
Speaker
Dr Jenny Haycock
Research Associate
Flinders University
Why do people not seek treatment for sleep disorders? Case studies and patient perspectives
9:00 AM - 9:15 AMBiography
Dr Jenny Haycock is a Research Associate at the Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health, Flinders University. Her primary interests include access to effective behavioural treatment for insomnia and the management of sleep disorders in primary care. Jenny also has an interest in implementation science, research translation and consumer led and co-designed research. She is the co-chair of the Sleep Health Foundation Lived Experience Advisory Partners group and co-chair of the Australasian Sleep Association Primary Care Council.
Dr Prerna Varma
Research Fellow
Monash University
Using an intersectional lens to understand and address sleep health disparities in culturally diverse and minoritised communities
9:15 AM - 9:30 AMBiography
Dr Prerna Varma is a Research Fellow in the School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, with a special interest in the design and delivery of personalised systems for sleep health. Her work is at the intersections of digital technology, industry and community, with meaningful partnerships with stakeholders and end-users to implement practical interventions. Dr Varma is deeply committed to examining and addressing sleep in underserved populations, including shift workers, caregivers, people living with dementia, and culturally diverse and other minoritised communities. She actively engages in outreach and advocacy programs to increase public health awareness of sleep.
Assoc Prof Yaqoot Fatima
Assoc Professor
Poche Centre for Indigenous Health / University of Queensland
Sleep health service access and uptake: Challenges in rural, remote and First Nations communities
9:30 AM - 9:45 AMBiography
Associate Professor Yaqoot Fatima is a social epidemiologist, sleep scientist, and specialist in co-designing First Nations sleep health programs and services. Her research is dedicated to advancing sleep health equity in First Nations communities through multidisciplinary and translational research and co-designed initiatives.
Miss Zoe Walsh
Student
Massey University
Breaking down barriers: enhancing support and access to sleep health services for mothers in New Zealand
9:45 AM - 10:00 AMBiography
Zoe Walsh is a Doctor of Clinical Psychology candidate from Massey University in Wellington, New Zealand. She is interested in the bidirectional relationship between sleep health and maternal mental health and how support impacts this relationship. Zoe's research is strengths based and also acknowledges the social determinants of health which impact sleep health and mental health. Zoe also serves on the ASA NEST Committee, as a communications officer.
Dr Meagan Crowther
Research Fellow
Monash University
Chair
Biography
Dr Maya Schenker
Cre Operations And Engagement Coordinator
University of Melbourne
Chair
Biography
