A major nationwide study suggests that regularly sleeping fewer than seven hours a night may significantly shorten your lifespan — and the effect appears stronger than that of poor diet, low physical activity, or even chronic loneliness.

The research, conducted by Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and published in SLEEP Advances, analyzed extensive U.S. health data collected between 2019 and 2025. The findings point to a clear conclusion: sleep is one of the most powerful and overlooked pillars of long‑term health.

🌍 A Nationwide Look at Sleep and Life Expectancy
Researchers examined county‑level life expectancy across the United States and compared it with detailed survey data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The results were striking:

Insufficient sleep showed a stronger correlation with shorter life expectancy than diet, exercise, or social isolation.

Only smoking had a greater negative impact.

The pattern held across nearly every state and remained consistent year after year.

Senior author Andrew McHill, Ph.D., said the strength of the association surprised even sleep scientists. “People really should strive to get seven to nine hours of sleep if at all possible,” he noted.

🧠 Why Sleep Matters So Much
Although the study did not explore biological mechanisms directly, researchers emphasized that sleep plays a vital role in:

Heart and cardiovascular health
Immune system function
Cognitive performance and brain maintenance

Previous studies have shown that deep sleep helps clear waste from the brain, supports emotional regulation, and reduces the risk of chronic disease.

📊 First Study to Track Year‑by‑Year State Trends
While earlier research has linked poor sleep to higher mortality, this is the first analysis to map annual state‑level trends over a multi‑year period. Using the CDC’s definition of “sufficient sleep” — at least seven hours per night — the study found a consistent relationship between sleep duration and life expectancy across almost all U.S. states.

🧪 Who Conducted the Study
The research team included scientists and graduate students from OHSU’s School of Nursing, School of Medicine, and the Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences. Funding came from the National Institutes of Health and state‑level health agencies.

🛌 The Takeaway: Prioritize Your Sleep
The message from the data is clear: sleep is not optional. It’s as essential to long‑term health as nutrition and exercise — and possibly even more influential.

As McHill put it, “Getting a good night’s sleep will improve how you feel but also how long you live.”