Climate change has been linked to the dangerous condition of sleep apnea, with experts warning that it will become more common and severe as global warming continues to rise. A recent study published in Nature Communications by sleep experts at Flinders University reveals the alarming impact of rising temperatures on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), predicting a doubling of the societal burden of OSA in most countries over the next 75 years.
Lead author Dr. Bastien Lechat from FHMRI Sleep Health explains that this study is the first of its kind to explore how environmental factors such as climate change can influence the severity of OSA and its implications on health, well-being, and the economy. The research found a significant association between ambient temperatures and OSA severity, with higher temperatures increasing the likelihood of experiencing OSA by 45% on a given night. Interestingly, the impact varied by region, with European countries showing higher rates of OSA during temperature spikes compared to Australia and the United States.
Sleep apnea affects nearly 1 billion people worldwide and poses serious health risks if left untreated, including an increased risk of dementia, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, anxiety, depression, reduced quality of life, and even mortality. In Australia alone, the economic cost associated with poor sleep, including sleep disorders like OSA, is estimated at $66 billion annually.
The study analyzed sleep data from over 116,000 individuals globally using an FDA-cleared under-mattress sensor to measure OSA severity. By matching this data with detailed temperature information from climate models, the researchers were able to conduct health economics modeling using disability-adjusted life years to quantify the well-being and societal burden resulting from the increased prevalence of OSA due to rising temperatures.
The findings revealed a loss of approximately 800,000 healthy life years and an estimated total economic cost of around $98 billion, including well-being loss and workplace productivity loss. Without significant policy action to address global warming, the burden of OSA is projected to double by 2100, posing a significant threat to human health and well-being.
Senior researcher Professor Danny Eckert acknowledges the study’s limitations, noting that it focused on high socio-economic countries and individuals likely to have access to favorable sleeping environments. Moving forward, the researchers emphasize the importance of developing interventions to diagnose and manage OSA effectively, particularly in the face of climate-related challenges.
In conclusion, the study underscores the urgent need for action to address the impact of climate change on sleep health and highlights the importance of implementing strategies to mitigate the effects of rising temperatures on OSA severity. By understanding the physiological mechanisms linking temperature fluctuations to OSA, researchers hope to develop targeted interventions to reduce the health and economic burden associated with this condition.
For more information, the study “Global warming may increase the burden of obstructive sleep apnea” can be accessed in Nature Communications (DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-60218-1) provided by Flinders University.
