Financial hardship, sleep disturbances, and their relationship among men and women in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: In the United States (US), the health and financial consequences of COVID-19 have disproportionately impacted women and minoritized racial-ethnic groups. Yet, few US studies have investigated financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic and sleep health disparities. Our objective was to investigate associations between financial hardship and sleep disturbances during the COVID-19 pandemic by gender and race and ethnicity in the United States.

Methods: We used the nationally representative COVID-19's Unequal Racial Burden cross-sectional survey data collected among 5339 men and women from 12/2020 to 2/2021. Participants reported financial hardship (eg, debt, employment/work loss) since the pandemic began and completed the Patient-Reported Outcomes Management Information System Short Form 4a for sleep disturbances. Prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals were estimated using adjusted, weighted Poisson regression with robust variance.

Results: Most (71%) participants reported financial hardship. Prevalence of moderate to severe sleep disturbances was 20% overall, higher among women (23%), and highest among American Indian/Alaska Native (29%) and multiracial adults (28%). Associations between financial hardship and moderate to severe sleep disturbances (PR = 1.52 [95% confidence interval: 1.18, 1.94]) did not differ by gender but varied by race and ethnicity: associations were strongest among Black/African American (PR = 3.52 [1.99,6.23]) adults.

Conclusions: Both financial hardship and sleep disturbances were prevalent, and their relationships were strongest among certain minoritized racial-ethnic groups, particularly Black/African American adults. Interventions that alleviate financial insecurity may reduce sleep health disparities.