Increasing Global Temperatures May Worsen Severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Recent research presented at the ATS 2025 International Conference highlights a significant link between rising ambient temperatures and the worsening of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The large-scale study, published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, analyzed data from over 116,000 users globally who utilized sensor technology to estimate their OSA severity. The findings suggest that higher temperatures during sleep are associated with a 45% increased chance of experiencing OSA on any given night.

The research further indicates that under the most probable climate change scenarios, the societal and health burden of OSA could double over the next 75 years. This is particularly alarming considering the existing global challenge of diagnosing and treating sleep apnea, which remains largely undiagnosed and untreated worldwide.

Researchers examined temperature data against sleep patterns and found regional differences, with European populations experiencing a more pronounced increase in OSA severity linked to rising temperatures compared to populations in Australia and the United States. The study estimated that climate change has already caused a 50-100% rise in OSA's societal impacts since 2000.

To assess the broader impact, scientists modeled the potential increase in health-related costs and lost productivity, revealing that a temperature rise of 2°C or more could lead to a 1.5 to 3 times increase in OSA-related societal burden by 2100. The findings underscore the urgent need for healthcare strategies to manage the growing impact of climate change on sleep health.

Lead researcher Dr. Bastien Lechat emphasized the importance of developing effective interventions, pointing out that the high prevalence of undiagnosed OSA could amplify the health effects of global warming. Future research aims to explore physiological mechanisms and develop mitigation strategies to lessen temperature-related exacerbation of sleep apnea.

This study underlines a critical intersection of climate science and sleep health, illustrating the broader implications of global warming on human health and emphasizing the necessity for immediate action to address climate change and its health consequences.