Lack of Sleep Linked to Shorter Lifespan, Study Reveals

New research from Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) reveals that consistently sleeping less than seven hours per night can significantly shorten lifespan. Published in the journal SLEEP Advances, the study indicates that insufficient sleep is more strongly correlated with reduced life expectancy than factors such as diet, exercise, or even social isolation.

To arrive at their conclusions, researchers analyzed extensive data from a national database, looking at survey responses related to life expectancy across various U.S. counties. They compared these figures with detailed survey data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from 2019 to 2025. The findings highlighted sleep as a crucial factor influencing longevity, surpassing other lifestyle elements.

Key Findings on Sleep and Longevity

Senior author Andrew McHill, Ph.D., who is an associate professor at OHSU’s School of Nursing, expressed surprise at the strength of the correlation. “I didn’t expect it to be so strongly correlated to life expectancy,” he stated. While the importance of sleep for overall health has been acknowledged, McHill noted that this research underscores the necessity for adults to aim for seven to nine hours of sleep each night.

Graduate students in OHSU’s Sleep, Chronobiology, and Health Laboratory contributed significantly to the research. The analysis revealed that sleep duration emerged as a more critical predictor of lifespan than diet or physical activity. Smoking was the only lifestyle factor that had a greater negative impact on life expectancy.

“It’s intuitive and makes a lot of sense, but it was still striking to see it materialize so strongly in all of these models,” McHill added. His insights emphasize the importance of prioritizing sleep as a fundamental aspect of health, akin to diet and exercise.

Longitudinal Insights Across U.S. States

This study is notable for being the first to track yearly trends in sleep and life expectancy across all U.S. states. Researchers utilized the CDC’s definition of sufficient sleep as at least seven hours per night, aligning with recommendations from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society. The data consistently demonstrated a clear relationship between sleep duration and life expectancy throughout the years analyzed.

While the study did not delve into the biological mechanisms linking sleep to longevity, McHill highlighted sleep’s vital role in maintaining heart health, immune function, and cognitive performance. “This research shows that we need to prioritize sleep at least as much as we do to what we eat or how we exercise,” he remarked. He emphasized the need to view sleep not as a luxury or an afterthought but as a crucial component of a healthy lifestyle.

The research team, including lead author Kathryn E. McAuliffe, B.S., and several other graduate students, received funding from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute under multiple award numbers, as well as support from OHSU’s School of Nursing and the Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences.

In conclusion, the study’s findings serve as a compelling reminder of the importance of sleep for long-term health. Prioritizing adequate sleep can significantly impact not just daily well-being but also longevity, underscoring the need for public health initiatives to promote better sleep habits across communities.