Climate Change's Alarming Impact on Sleep Apnea Severity Worldwide

A recent study led by sleep experts at Flinders University has revealed a troubling correlation between climate change and the rising prevalence and severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Published in the prestigious journal *Nature Communications* on June 16, 2025, the research indicates that increased global temperatures could double the societal burden of OSA over the next 75 years, presenting significant health and economic challenges globally.

Dr. Bastien Lechat, the lead author and a sleep expert at the Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute (FHMRI), emphasized that this study is the first of its kind to systematically examine how global warming may affect sleep-related breathing disorders. The authors discovered that for every increase in ambient temperature, the likelihood of experiencing OSA on a given night rises by 45%. This finding varied significantly across regions, with European populations showing a greater susceptibility compared to their counterparts in Australia and the United States, possibly due to differences in air conditioning usage.

According to the World Health Organization, sleep apnea affects nearly one billion people worldwide. If left untreated, OSA can lead to severe health complications such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and even cognitive decline, including dementia and Parkinson's disease. The financial implications are also staggering; a previous analysis estimated that the economic burden of sleep disorders in Australia alone is approximately $66 billion annually.

The Flinders University study analyzed sleep data from over 116,000 individuals globally, utilizing an FDA-cleared under-mattress sensor that recorded data across 500 nights for each participant. By combining this data with temperature information from climate models, the researchers constructed a comprehensive picture of how rising temperatures could influence OSA severity.

The study's projections are alarming. In 2023, the increase in OSA prevalence due to climate change was associated with a loss of approximately 800,000 healthy life years across 29 countries studied. The total estimated economic cost related to this increase was about $98 billion, factoring in both well-being loss and reduced workplace productivity. Dr. Lechat noted, "Using our modeling, we can estimate how burdensome the increase in OSA prevalence due to rising temperatures is to society in terms of well-being and economic loss."

Professor Danny Eckert, a co-author of the study, cautioned that the research primarily focused on high socio-economic countries, which may have biased the estimates and potentially underestimated the true health and economic costs of OSA exacerbated by climate change. He stated, "This may lead to an under-estimation of the true health and economic cost."

The implications of this research extend beyond individual health. It underscores the urgent need for greater policy action aimed at mitigating climate change, as the study projects that without significant intervention, the burden of OSA due to rising global temperatures could double by the year 2100.

Looking forward, researchers at Flinders University are keen on developing effective interventions to diagnose and manage OSA. Professor Eckert highlighted the importance of increasing the rates of diagnosis and treatment, which could help alleviate the adverse health and productivity issues stemming from climate-related OSA. Future studies are planned to explore strategies to reduce the impact of ambient temperatures on sleep apnea severity and to investigate the physiological mechanisms linking temperature fluctuations to OSA.

In conclusion, the findings from Flinders University present a compelling case for the intersection of climate change and health, particularly in how environmental factors may significantly influence the severity of sleep disorders. As the climate crisis continues, the potential public health ramifications of rising temperatures on conditions like obstructive sleep apnea must not be overlooked. Researchers and policymakers alike are called to action to address this looming challenge, both for the sake of public health and economic stability.