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Global Sleep Loss Soars 5% Amid Record Heat, Climate Change Blamed for Disrupted Sleep Patterns

October 31, 2024
Global Sleep Loss Soars 5% Amid Record Heat, Climate Change Blamed for Disrupted Sleep Patterns
  • Research indicates that nighttime temperatures are rising faster than daytime temperatures, further compromising sleep quality.

  • A recent study published in The Lancet reveals that sleep loss has increased by 5% globally over the past five years, peaking in 2023, which was the hottest year on record with a 6% rise in sleep loss.

  • Jeremy Farrar, chief scientist at the World Health Organization, stresses that the health impacts of climate change are felt continuously, not just during extreme weather events.

  • The demand for air conditioning is projected to triple by 2050, further complicating the situation as temperatures continue to rise.

  • Poor building design exacerbates indoor overheating, particularly in temperate climates, making it crucial to improve ventilation and shading to mitigate these effects.

  • This rise in sleep loss is attributed to climate change, particularly due to high nighttime temperatures that disrupt sleep patterns and hinder recovery from daytime heat.

  • The Lancet Countdown report, involving 122 global experts, highlights the adverse health impacts of climate change, including sleep disruption caused by high temperatures and extreme weather events.

  • Research by Kevin Lomas shows that bedroom temperatures exceeding 27°C (80.6°F) hinder the body's cooling process, leading to significant long-term health consequences.

  • Lack of sleep can severely diminish attention span and quality of life, potentially worsening other health conditions, as noted by experts studying the relationship between heat and sleep.

  • In 2023, high temperatures resulted in a staggering loss of 512 billion potential labor hours globally, with heat-related deaths among individuals aged 65 and older increasing by 167% since the 1990s.

  • The study utilized historical sleep-tracking and temperature data, identifying the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa as the regions most affected by sleep loss due to high nighttime temperatures.

Summary based on 3 sources


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Sources

How Climate Change Is Causing Sleep Loss

Climate change is disrupting people’s sleep as nights get warmer

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