Study Links Insufficient Sleep to Reduced Life Expectancy

The researchers analyzed a comprehensive nationwide database, comparing county-level life expectancy data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) collected between 2019 and 2025. Their findings suggest that sleep is a more prominent factor impacting life expectancy than diet, exercise, and loneliness, second only to smoking.

Andrew McHill, Ph.D., a senior author and associate professor at OHSU, expressed surprise at the strong correlation between sleep and life expectancy, emphasizing the importance of obtaining seven to nine hours of sleep nightly. "We’ve always thought sleep is important, but this research really drives that point home," he said.

The study, which involved graduate students from OHSU's Sleep, Chronobiology and Health Laboratory, found that while previous studies have indicated a link between insufficient sleep and higher mortality risk, this research uniquely demonstrates consistent year-to-year correlations across all U.S. states. The CDC defines sufficient sleep as at least seven hours per night, a guideline endorsed by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society.

McHill noted that the analysis did not explore the reasons inadequate sleep may reduce life expectancy but emphasized its impact on cardiovascular health, immune function, and brain performance. He urged the importance of prioritizing sleep alongside diet and exercise, stating, "Getting a good night’s sleep will improve how you feel but also how long you live."

The study's co-authors include lead author Kathryn E. McAuliffe, along with Madeline R. Wary, Gemma V. Pleas, Kiziah E.S. Pugmire, Courtney Lysiak, Nathan F. Dieckmann, and Brooke M. Shafer. The research received support from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health and OHSU's School of Nursing.