Sleep has long been known to affect health, influencing everything from the immune system to the heart. But this study takes that understanding one step further by showing that sleep insufficiency is closely tied to shorter life expectancy across nearly every U.S. county. Researchers analyzed years of nationwide data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from 2019 to 2025, comparing county-level sleep habits with average lifespan. For this analysis, “sufficient sleep” was defined as getting at least seven hours per night, as recommended by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
The OHSU team, led by Dr. Andrew McHill, and composed largely of graduate students from the university’s Sleep, Chronobiology and Health Laboratory, used advanced statistical modeling to explore behavioral influences on longevity. Among all lifestyle variables-diet, exercise, social isolation, and smoking—sleep emerged as the second most important factor influencing life expectancy, surpassed only by smoking.
The correlation was remarkably consistent. In almost every dataset, counties where residents averaged less than seven hours of sleep per night had significantly lower life expectancy than areas where people slept seven to nine hours. The study didn’t pinpoint exact biological mechanisms, but the researchers note that poor sleep disrupts cardiovascular health, immune regulation, and brain function—all major contributors to aging and chronic disease.
Dr. McHill says the takeaway is simple: “We often treat sleep as optional, something to catch up on later. But this research shows that consistent, adequate sleep is as vital as eating well or staying active—perhaps even more so.”
So, a full night’s rest isn’t just about waking up refreshed—it could be one of the most powerful longevity tools we already have.
REFERENCE: McAuliffe, K. E., et al. (2025). Sleep insufficiency and life expectancy at the state-county level in the united states, 2019-2025. SLEEP Advances. doi: 10.1093/sleepadvances/zpaf090. https://academic.oup.com/sleepadvances/advance-article/doi/10.1093/sleepadvances/zpaf090/8373869
Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.
NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.