Climate Change Tied to Sharp Rise in Sleep Apnea

A major study published in Nature Communications links rising global temperatures to a significant increase in both the prevalence and severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which already affects nearly a billion people worldwide. Analyzing over 58 million nights of sleep data from more than 116,000 individuals in up to 41 countries, researchers found that hotter nights increase the likelihood of OSA symptoms by 45% and the risk of severe OSA by 49%. In 2023 alone, heat-related OSA resulted in the loss of over 780,000 healthy life years and $98 billion in damages, including workplace productivity losses across 29 countries. The impact is projected to be especially severe in European countries and low-GDP nations such as India and Brazil, where air conditioning and healthcare access are limited. By 2100, the global burden of OSA could double if climate change continues unchecked, further straining healthcare systems and affecting quality of life. The study highlights that climate change poses broader health risks beyond direct heat-related illnesses, contributing to chronic conditions like sleep apnea.