Oregon Health Science University Study Links Insufficient Sleep to Shorter Life Expectancy Across U.S.
A recent study conducted by Oregon Health & Science University has revealed that insufficient sleep is a significant predictor of shorter life expectancy across U.S. counties. The research, published in the journal SLEEP Advances, analyzed data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention collected between 2019 and 2025. The study found that getting fewer than seven hours of sleep per night is more strongly correlated with reduced lifespan than other behavioral factors such as diet, exercise, and loneliness, with only smoking showing a stronger association. The research highlights the importance of sleep for cardiovascular, immune, and brain health, suggesting that sleep should be prioritized as a core component of long-term health.