As global temperatures continue to rise, the severity and prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are increasing, according to a major international study presented at the ATS 2025 International Conference. Researchers warn that if climate change continues on its current path, the global burden of OSA could double in most countries over the next 75 years.
The study, led by researchers from Flinders University in Australia, analyzed data from over 116,000 individuals worldwide. Each participant used an under-mattress sensor, which recorded around 500 sleep measurements per person. These data were compared to local 24-hour temperatures using climate models.
The findings revealed that warmer ambient temperatures were linked to a 45% higher chance of experiencing OSA on any given night. European countries saw a stronger connection between heat and sleep apnea than Australia or the United States.
“We were surprised by the magnitude of the association between temperature and OSA severity,” said Dr. Bastien Lechat, senior research fellow at FHMRI: Sleep Health, who led the study.
Using this data, researchers modeled the broader societal impact, including disability-adjusted life years, reduced productivity, and healthcare costs. They found that if global temperatures rise by 2°C or more, the burden of OSA could increase by 1.5 to 3 times by the year 2100. They also estimated that climate change has already caused a 50% to 100% increase in OSA burden since 2000.
“These results underscore how climate change is already harming public health—and how that impact is growing,” Dr. Lechat said.
He also emphasized the urgent need for better diagnosis and treatment of OSA, noting that many cases remain undiagnosed and untreated. Increasing awareness and access to care, he said, could help reduce the negative health and economic impacts associated with rising temperatures and sleep apnea.
The research team now plans to explore ways to reduce the effects of temperature on sleep apnea and investigate how warmer conditions might worsen the condition on a physiological level.
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