In chapter 13 of Hauora: Mäori Standards of Health IV, Sarah-Jane Paine, Ricci Harris and Kara Mihaere discuss sleep and sleep disorders in New Zealand. They highlight the fact that Mäori are more likely to suffer from insomnia and obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome than non-Mäori and that Mäori have more risk factors for the development of sleep problems than non-Mäori. The chapter acknowledges that disparities in sleep problems between Mäori and non-Mäori may impact on disparities in other health outcomes and the authors recommend that Mäori needs are prioritised in the development, planning, and purchase of sleep services, which need to be appropriate and accessible to Mäori. The chapter ends with a framework for understanding health inequities including the direct and indirect effects of racism.
