The Role of Culture and Identity in Getting the Right Sleep Care

Sleep health is a vital pillar of overall well-being that extends far beyond simply avoiding insomnia. Quality sleep impacts daily alertness, energy levels, and your ability to build long-term habits that protect both physical and mental health. In recent years, awareness of sleep's central role in health has grown significantly, and more people are seeking professional help for persistent sleep problems. But just like with therapy, finding the right kind of sleep care—one that respects your cultural background, identity, and personal experiences—can make all the difference in achieving lasting results.

How Culture Shapes Sleep Care Access

Culture and identity profoundly influence how we view health and our willingness to seek professional help. Research shows that cultural beliefs, language barriers, and past experiences with healthcare systems create significant disparities in sleep health access among different populations. In some cultures, poor sleep may be dismissed as "just stress" or "part of getting older," making people less likely to pursue treatment. In others, professional medical help—especially when it involves specialized expertise—may be more readily embraced.

For people in marginalized communities, there may be additional barriers such as mistrust of healthcare systems, past negative experiences, or a lack of providers who understand their unique cultural needs and practices. Language barriers constitute important obstacles to healthcare access, and culturally sensitive care requires understanding how different communities conceptualize health and illness. Breaking down sleep care barriers is essential for health equity, particularly for Indigenous communities and other populations facing unique challenges.

Identity and Unique Sleep Challenges

Identity factors significantly affect the kind of sleep care people need. Women navigating menopause face unique sleep challenges, with 35-60% experiencing sleep disorders during the menopausal transition due to hormonal changes, hot flashes, and other physiological factors. Understanding how hormones affect sleep during menopause is crucial for effective treatment. People living with chronic pain require specialized approaches that address the complex relationship between pain and sleep.

LGBTQ+ individuals may face additional stressors—such as discrimination and minority stress—that can significantly affect both sleep quality and overall health. Research demonstrates that discrimination has a negative impact on health, with poor sleep serving as an important underlying mechanism. Sexual and gender minorities experience higher rates of mental health challenges, substance use, and sleep disturbances, often linked to societal stigma and discrimination. Learning about how stress affects your sleep can help address these interconnected challenges.

The Gold Standard: Evidence-Based Treatment That Adapts to You

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is the gold standard, first-line treatment for chronic insomnia, endorsed by the American College of Physicians and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. CBT-I is effective across diverse populations, including those with medical and psychological comorbidities, and provides more durable results than medication alone.

Finding care that acknowledges and respects cultural and identity factors is critical to achieving lasting results. Sleep Reset's program combines this evidence-based CBT-I approach with access to medical professionals who can order lab testing, screen for underlying conditions, and, when appropriate, prescribe medication. Our coaches and clinicians understand how sleep issues intersect with cultural background, identity, and lifestyle, creating a truly personalized plan. Learn more about what CBT-I is and the science behind our sleep program.

Sleep Reset's Culturally-Informed Approach

Sleep Reset is a clinically backed program built by top sleep psychologists from Stanford and Yale. We combine structured CBT-I sleep training with access to medical providers—all delivered virtually through telehealth, which research shows is as effective as in-person care while improving accessibility.

What makes our care different:

Personalized & culturally aware care: We meet you where you are, respecting your background, identity, and preferences. Our approach addresses both individual and cultural factors that may influence sleep health.

Whole-health sleep approach: We don't just teach better sleep habits—we also address medical factors like sleep apnea, restless legs, and hormone changes that can disrupt sleep quality. Discover more about understanding your sleep health beyond just hours of sleep.

Fast access to care: You can start your program immediately through our telehealth platform—no months-long waitlists that often prevent people from getting the care they need. Learn how Sleep Reset's virtual care model works.

Accessible & affordable: Covered by many insurance plans, with self-pay options for those without coverage. Telehealth delivery reduces barriers like transportation, time constraints, and geographical limitations.

Addressing Health Disparities Through Technology

Digital health equity models can help address barriers that have historically prevented marginalized groups from accessing sleep medicine care and research. Digital CBT-I platforms, when properly implemented, can overcome accessibility and cost barriers while maintaining clinical effectiveness.

However, it's important to acknowledge that a digital divide exists based on geographic and socioeconomic factors, and careful attention must be paid to ensure telehealth doesn't worsen existing health disparities. This is why our program includes multiple ways to access care and provides support for those who may need additional assistance with technology. Explore the future of sleep medicine and how technology is making better sleep more accessible.

No One Size Fits All Solution

Better sleep is not one-size-fits-all. When your sleep program considers your identity, life circumstances, cultural background, and medical needs, you're more likely to succeed—and to maintain improvements long-term. Sleep Reset's combination of evidence-based CBT-I and comprehensive medical care makes it possible to finally get the restorative sleep you've been missing, delivered in a way that respects who you are and where you come from.

Ready to start? Take our quick assessment to be matched with your care team and begin your personalized sleep plan—right from your phone or computer.