Climate Change Disrupts Sleep and Raises Apnea Risk: A New Study
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Climate Change Disrupts Sleep and Raises Apnea Risk: A New Study
A new global study published on June 16, 2025, in Nature Communications suggests that rising temperatures caused by climate change could increase the risk for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
The large-scale analysis lasted for 3 years and analyzed sleep data from over 116,000 participants thanks to an FDA-cleared under-matress monitor.
Full study: Global warming may increase the burden of obstructive sleep apnea
What the Study Found
The researchers found that on nights when outdoor temperatures were the warmest, people were more likely to experience obstructive sleep apnea.
- High ambient temperatures were associated with a 45% increased probability of experiencing sleep apnea on a given night, globally.
- The study linked the increase in obstructive sleep apnea’s prevalence in 2023 to a loss of 788,198 healthy life years, and a productivity loss of ~105 million days in the workplace.
- Researchers concluded that the warming-related sleep apnea could contribute to a loss of 30 billion USD due to decreased workplace productivity.
Looking ahead, the authors also stated that if the global temperature rises above 1.8 °C above pre-industrial levels – which is a moderate scenario – the burden of sleep apnea could double or even triple by the end of 2100.
Who Was Studied
The study looked at 116,620 users of an under-mattress sleep sensor that has been approved by the FDA.
The subjects were mostly middle-aged and predominantly male (22.7% female). There were 41 countries with at least 100+ users of the sensor, with the regions of North America, Europe, and Australia having the most subjects.
Continents such as Africa and South America had less than 200 sleep sensor users per country. This means that despite the global perspective of the study, most participants were located in highly developed parts of the world where people have access to air conditioning, which is less readily available in lower socioeconomic populations.
Why the Link Between Global Warming & Sleep Apnea Matters
The evidence presented in the study is showing us that high temperatures have a direct impact on human health, not just the environment.
As mentioned by the researchers, “In 2023, mean temperature recordings in the northern hemisphere were the highest on record in over 2000 years.”
Not only that, obstructive sleep apnea is said to be the most common sleep-related breathing disorder, possibly affecting nearly 1 billion adults worldwide.
The high prevalence of OSA and its link to rising temperatures raises the alarm that the number of affected people can keep increasing over time. Additionally, when left untreated, this sleep disorder is associated with hypertension, type-2 diabetes, road safety events, and even all-cause mortality.
What Can We Do About High Temperatures at Night
While a large-scale reaction is essential to slow down the effects of global warming, there are certain precautions that each individual can take.
Using fans, air conditioning, and light sleepwear are some of the most common strategies to lower bedroom temperature at night, thus reducing the risk for sleep disruptions.
Since untreated sleep apnea is connected to serious long-term implications, it’s also beneficial to undergo regular check-ups and seek professional treatment if the problem persists.
Looking Ahead
The researchers’ conclusion puts emphasis on the urgent need to take action in order to prevent further temperature rise around the world. We read that “These results highlight the urgency of limiting global warming to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels, in alignment with the Paris Agreement.”
But if global temperatures continue to rise, protecting our sleep may become an increasingly important part of public health. Since obstructive sleep apnea is linked to workplace productivity loss, this issue could drastically affect not just our individual health, but the entire economy.
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