The findings were striking. Nights with higher temperatures were associated with a 45% increased likelihood of users experiencing OSA
Climate change is not only impacting the planet but also human health in unexpected ways. A new global study presented at the ATS 2025 International Conference has found that rising ambient temperatures are linked to a significant increase in the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a common sleep disorder that affects millions worldwide.
OSA occurs when the throat muscles intermittently relax and block the airway during sleep, leading to breathing interruptions, poor sleep quality, and serious health issues like hypertension, heart disease, and cognitive impairment. This study, led by researchers from FHMRI: Sleep Health at Flinders University, is the first to detail how global warming may worsen this condition.
“This study really highlights the societal burden associated with the increase in OSA prevalence due to rising temperatures,” said Bastien Lechat, senior research fellow and the study’s lead author. “The results emphasize both the need to limit global warming and the urgency of addressing the growing health impacts of OSA.”
Using data from over 116,000 global users of an under-mattress sensor that estimates OSA severity, researchers analyzed approximately 500 nightly sleep measurements per individual. They compared this information with 24-hour ambient temperatures obtained from advanced climate models.
The findings were striking. Nights with higher temperatures were associated with a 45% increased likelihood of users experiencing OSA. Regional variations were also observed — individuals in European countries showed a more pronounced increase in OSA severity during warmer nights compared to those in Australia and the United States.
“We were surprised by the magnitude of the association between temperature and OSA severity,” Dr. Lechat said. “These changes are not just theoretical; they are already impacting people’s sleep and health.”
Researchers then projected how rising temperatures would influence the global OSA burden through the year 2100. They used models including disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), productivity losses, and health economics to estimate the broader consequences. The results suggest that under climate change scenarios involving a temperature increase of 2°C or more, the societal burden of OSA could rise 1.5 to 3 times by 2100. Alarmingly, they estimate climate change has already increased the OSA burden by 50% to 100% since 2000.
“This is more than a public health issue — it’s a challenge with serious economic implications,” Dr. Lechat said. “The costs of untreated OSA include lost productivity, increased healthcare expenditure, and reduced quality of life.” The study also underlined the importance of increasing OSA diagnosis and treatment rates. With a significant portion of OSA cases remaining undiagnosed or untreated, the combined effect of global warming and untreated sleep disorders could amplify future health and economic strain.
“Effective screening and treatment of OSA, particularly in vulnerable populations, can mitigate the added burden from climate change,” Dr. Lechat concluded. “We must take action on both the environmental and medical fronts to protect population health.”
The research provides compelling evidence that the health effects of climate change extend beyond heatwaves and respiratory illnesses — even impacting how we sleep.
