Archive · 3 Jul 2025
Climate Change: Sleep Apnea's Rising Risk to Sleep Health
Imagine your body has trouble sleeping when it's super hot, just like you.
Climate change is making the world warmer, especially at night.
This is causing more people to have sleep apnea, where they stop breathing for short moments while sleeping.
It is expected to rise up to three times by 2100.
This bad sleep can cause health problems like heart issues and make it hard to work or go to school.
Scientists say this could also cost the economy a lot of money, making it important for us to understand how heat affects sleep.
Rising global temperatures are expected to increase the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
A study indicates a potential three-fold increase in OSA by 2100 in warmer regions.
Higher temperatures can disrupt the body's ability to cool down, interfering with sleep cycles.
Poor sleep quality is linked to various health issues, including cardiovascular diseases and depression.
Increased OSA could lead to decreased workplace productivity and significant economic losses.
- Who
- People worldwide, particularly those in areas without access to cooling.
- What
- Rising global temperatures are worsening sleep apnea.
- When
- The impact is projected to increase by 2100.
- Where
- Globally, especially in regions experiencing rising temperatures.
- Why
- Higher temperatures disrupt the body's ability to cool down, leading to more frequent awakenings and disrupted sleep cycles.
- OSA Increase by 2100
- Up to a three-fold increase in warmer regions.
- Global OSA Probability Increase
- ~45% on a given night at higher temperatures.
- OSA definition
- Upper airway becomes blocked during sleep.
- Potential U.S. Economic Cost
- $87 billion per year due to untreated OSA.
- Associated health concerns
- Higher resting heart rate, high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke