Full and uninterrupted sleep can have a greater impact on our health than previously thought. The latest studies by scientists from Oregon Health & Science University showed that regular lack of sleep shortens life more than unhealthy diet or lack of exercise. Sleep turned out to be one of the most important factors affecting life expectancy, with only tobacco consumption having a worse effect.
The researchers analyzed data from across the United States and compared life expectancy with answers to questions about sleep. The results clearly show that people who regularly sleep less than seven hours a day have a shorter life expectancy.
The results were published in the prestigious journal “SLEEP Advances” and summarized in “Science Daily”. Researchers from Oregon Health & Science University emphasize that sleep has a greater influence on life expectancy than diet, physical activity or social isolation.
This is the first study to track annual trends in sleep and life expectancy in each US state. In almost all monitored years and countries, a strong relationship between sleep and life expectancy was confirmed. The analysis was based on national statistical data collected by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 2019-2025.
The results were clear: sleep was one of the strongest predictors of life expectancy. Its importance exceeded the influence of diet, level of physical activity or social isolation. It had a stronger negative impact on shortening life just smoking.
Although the study did not analyze the biological mechanisms behind this correlation, the researchers note that sleep plays a key role in the functioning of the cardiovascular system, immune function and brain health. Sleep disorders are also demonstrably linked to many chronic diseases.
“I didn’t expect the correlation with life expectancy to be so strong. We’ve always known that sleep is important, but these results clearly confirm it: it really pays to try to get seven to nine hours of sleep a day, if possible.” priznal prof. Andrew McHill z OHSU.
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