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<p class="" data-start="158" data-end="484"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">A major new study presented at the &lsquo;ATS 2025 International Conference&rsquo; reveals that climate change may significantly worsen the severity and prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The research warns that, under expected climate scenarios, the societal burden of OSA could double in most countries over the next 75 years.</span></p>
<p class="" data-start="486" data-end="720"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Led by Bastien Lechat, Senior Research Fellow at FHMRI: Sleep Health at Flinders University, the study stresses the urgent need for both global climate action and stronger public health strategies to address the growing impact of OSA.</span></p>
<p class="" data-start="722" data-end="860"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">&ldquo;This study really highlights the societal burden associated with the increase in OSA prevalence due to rising temperatures,&rdquo; Lechat said.</span></p>
<p class="" data-start="862" data-end="1040"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">While earlier studies have noted a connection between warm temperatures and increased OSA severity, this is the first large-scale analysis to quantify the relationship in detail.</span></p>
<p class="" data-start="1042" data-end="1325"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Researchers examined data from over 116,000 global users of an under-mattress sensor that accurately tracks sleep patterns and OSA symptoms. The dataset included approximately 500 measurements per user, which were then compared with 24-hour ambient temperatures using climate models.</span></p>
<p class="" data-start="1327" data-end="1589"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The analysis found that hotter temperatures increased the likelihood of an individual experiencing OSA symptoms on a given night by 45%. The impact varied by region&mdash;individuals in Europe were more affected by temperature spikes than those in the US or Australia.</span></p>
<p class="" data-start="1591" data-end="1840"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Lechat noted the strength of the association between warmer nights and sleep apnea was surprising. The team went on to model the broader social and economic consequences, factoring in productivity loss, healthcare costs, and quality of life metrics.</span></p>
<p class="" data-start="1842" data-end="2105"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Their projections showed that global warming of 2&deg;C or more could lead to a 1.5 to 3-fold increase in OSA burden by the end of the century. Alarmingly, they estimate the burden has already risen between 50% and 100% since the year 2000 due to rising temperatures.</span></p>
<p class="" data-start="2107" data-end="2460"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The study underscores the critical need for improved diagnosis and treatment of OSA, which often remains undetected. &ldquo;The high rate of undiagnosed and untreated cases amplifies the health impact of climate change,&rdquo; Lechat said. &ldquo;Increasing early diagnosis and access to care will be essential in limiting the worsening health effects of global warming.&rdquo;</span></p>
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Climate change may prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

From rising health burdens to urgent climate action—how warmer nights are silently worsening sleep apnea worldwide

Climate Change Intensifies Sleep Disorders, Doubles OSA Risk Globally by 2100

From rising health burdens to urgent climate action—how warmer nights are silently worsening sleep apnea worldwide

May 18, 2025 | 22:30 IST