Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that is associated with an increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes and other chronic health disorders.

Up to 90 percent of individuals with sleep apnea are undiagnosed and a large number of them are African-Americans.

A new study by investigators at Brigham and Women's Hospital looked at the prevalence of sleep apnea among African-American men and women living in Jackson, Miss., and participating in the Jackson Heart Sleep Study. The study is published in the journal SLEEP.

Joining me today is the lead author of the study Dayna Johnson, PhD. Dr Johnson is an associate epidemiologist in the Division of Sleep and Circadium Disorders at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.