A recent study from the Keck School of Medicine at USC reveals a significant correlation between rising nighttime temperatures and reduced sleep length and quality among U.S. adults. Conducted by researchers, the analysis highlights that people with chronic health conditions, lower socioeconomic status, and those residing on the West Coast are particularly affected. By 2099, expectations indicate individuals could lose between 8.5 and 24 hours of sleep annually due to climate change impacts.
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The study, published in the journal Environment International, indicates that warmer nights can disrupt sleep by preventing the body from cooling, triggering stress responses, and reducing deep sleep and REM sleep. This disruption can result in increased risks for various health issues, including cardiovascular, respiratory, and mental health concerns. Jiawen Liao, PhD, a postdoctoral research associate and lead author of the study, expressed concern over the implications of rising global temperatures for population health.
Unlike prior research, which often lacked demographic, socioeconomic, and health details, this study utilized data from the All of Us Research Program, encompassing 14,232 U.S. adults. This longitudinal study includes a comprehensive examination of health records, surveys, and wearable device data.
Researchers analyzed more than 12 million nights of sleep data collected between 2010 and 2022, alongside weather and geographical information. They found that for every 10-degree Celsius increase in daytime temperature, sleep duration decreased by an average of 2.19 minutes; at night, the same increase resulted in a 2.63-minute reduction in sleep. The impacts were more pronounced among women, Hispanic individuals, those with chronic illnesses, and people with lower socioeconomic status.
The research indicated that sleep loss was more severe from June to September and that West Coast residents experienced nearly three times more sleep loss than individuals in other areas. Additionally, rising temperatures were associated with more disturbances during the night and increased time spent awake in bed.
The study emphasizes that certain populations are at higher risk, suggesting that targeted interventions, such as improving access to air conditioning or enhancing urban green spaces, could be vital. Future research will focus on whether interventions like indoor cooling and sleep hygiene programs can mitigate the adverse effects of heat exposure on sleep and overall health.
This study involved contributions from multiple researchers, including those from Harvard Medical School and Boston Children's Hospital, and was supported by the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation.