“Free Sleep Care Now Available for Uninsured Individuals in Southeast Michigan”
Individuals without health insurance in Southeast Michigan now have access to free sleep care services, thanks to a new initiative established by a University of Michigan sleep epidemiologist. The goal of this new sleep medicine service is to combat sleep disorders and help reduce poor health outcomes in underserved communities.
According to the University of Michigan sleep epidemiologist, an estimated 50 to 70 million American adults are affected by sleep disorders, with one in three adults experiencing a sleep disorder at some point in their lives. Unfortunately, individuals most susceptible to sleep disorders include low-income working adults, immigrants, and refugees.
The initiative, one of the first in the nation to provide free sleep care to underserved populations, is a partnership between the University of Michigan and Hope Clinic, a nonprofit organization committed to supporting uninsured individuals. The clinics, located in Ypsilanti and Westland, Michigan, serve urban areas with diverse communities, including many immigrants and refugees.
Many patients visiting Hope Clinic have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, a sleep disorder characterized by loud snoring and frequent pauses in breathing during sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea can lead to various health issues, including insomnia, daytime sleepiness, high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.
The volunteer sleep specialist doctors and respiratory therapists involved in the initiative are dedicated to providing free sleep care services to those in need. Through their efforts, individuals without health insurance can now receive evaluations and treatments for sleep disorders, including obstructive sleep apnea.
The initiative has been well-received by community members, with many reporting improvements in their sleep quality and overall well-being. The availability of free sleep care services has proven to be invaluable for underserved populations in Southeast Michigan.