Insufficient Sleep Linked to Shorter Lifespan, Study Finds
A recent study has revealed that not getting enough sleep is one of the key factors that can lead to a shorter lifespan in the U.S., second only to smoking. This finding comes from a nationwide analysis led by Dr. Andrew McHill from Oregon Health & Science University, published in the journal SLEEP Advances.
To understand how sleep affects longevity, researchers looked at data collected by the CDC from 2019 to 2025, which covered over 3,000 counties across the country. They defined “sufficient sleep” as at least seven hours per night, adhering to guidelines set by experts from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society.
The study compared average life expectancy in different counties to the percentage of residents reporting that they get enough sleep. The results showed that counties with more people experiencing insufficient sleep also had lower life expectancy. This trend was consistent across various states and years, even when accounting for other health factors like smoking, diet, physical inactivity, and loneliness.
Dr. McHill expressed surprise at how strongly the lack of sleep was linked to life expectancy, highlighting that while the importance of sleep for health is known, its direct connection to lifespan was unexpected. He emphasized that people should aim for seven to nine hours of sleep whenever possible.
This research adds to the growing evidence that sleep duration plays a crucial role in overall health. Lack of sleep has been linked to risks like cardiovascular issues, weakened immune function, and impaired cognitive abilities.
Importantly, this study is the first of its kind to examine the relationship between sleep duration and life expectancy in such detail across multiple years and locations. However, the findings do come with limitations, such as reliance on self-reported data, which may not always be accurate. Future research is needed to explore how various factors might influence both sleep patterns and life expectancy.
The researchers pointed out that sleep duration is just one aspect of sleep health; the quality and regularity of sleep are also vital for long-term well-being. This underscores the need to prioritize sleep just as much as diet and exercise.
Dr. McHill remarked that people should focus on getting quality sleep, which can not only improve daily well-being but may also extend life. The research was largely conducted by graduate students from the Sleep, Chronobiology and Health Laboratory at OHSU’s School of Nursing and received support from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute and OHSU.
