In many countries, health guidelines are based on well-known principles. People are advised to eat sensibly, stay physically active, and avoid smoking.
Sleep is often mentioned, but as something secondary. This can be problematic if the goal is to improve public health and life expectancy, a new study shows.
Sleep in everyday life
Lack of sleep is widespread and often accepted as part of a busy daily routine.
According to Medical News Today, many people struggle with insufficient or poor-quality sleep without this necessarily leading to action from the healthcare system.
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Previous research has shown that inadequate sleep is linked to diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and mental health disorders.
Nevertheless, sleep has held a lower status than diet and exercise in both health guidance and workplace culture.
A large data set
A new American study, published in the journal Sleep Advances, examined the relationship between sleep and life expectancy.
The researchers used data from the CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System from 2019 to 2025.
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The data cover large parts of the United States and show how many people report insufficient sleep.
According to the researchers, there was a clear association between widespread sleep deprivation and lower average life expectancy.
The pattern was consistent across states and different population groups.
A surprising result
Insufficient sleep showed a stronger association with shorter life expectancy than diet, physical activity, and social contact.
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Only smoking had a greater negative impact.
According to physicians interviewed by Medical News Today, the findings raise questions about how health priorities are set.
Based on this study, sleep should be given a more central role in prevention, workplace conditions, and health guidance if the goal is to increase life expectancy in the population.
Sources: Medical News Today, and Sleep Advances.
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This article is made and published by Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk, who may have used AI in the preparation.