New research from Oregon Health & Science University finds that people who sleep less than seven hours a night tend to have a shorter life expectancy compared with those who get enough rest. Researchers analysed nationwide health data collected from 2019 through 2025. They compared sleep patterns with life expectancy figures across counties in the United States. The results showed a clear link between insufficient sleep and lower life expectancy across most states.

Scientists said that this association proved stronger than links for other common lifestyle factors, including poor diet, lack of physical activity, and feelings of loneliness. Only smoking showed a stronger connection to reduced lifespan than lack of sleep.

📊 Sleep’s Role Compared with Other Factors

Researchers looked at multiple lifestyle and health indicators to see how each one related to lifespan. They found that people who regularly slept seven to nine hours a night tended to live longer than people who slept less than seven hours. Meanwhile, factors like diet or exercise did not show as consistent a connection to life expectancy in the national analysis.

Scientists said this does not mean diet or exercise do not matter. Instead, the findings highlight how sleep plays a major role in overall health and longevity. As a result, experts suggest sleep should receive more attention in health advice and public health strategies.

🌎 Findings Consistent Across U.S. States

The analysis used data from nearly every U.S. state and examined changes over several years. In nearly all states, the link between sleep duration and life expectancy remained clear. The researchers defined sufficient sleep as seven hours or more per night, based on guidance from leading sleep medicine organisations.

Scientists said the results show a consistent pattern rather than a random trend. For example, counties where residents reported less sleep tended also to have lower life expectancy than counties where people reported adequate rest. That pattern held even when researchers accounted for age, gender, and other demographic differences.

🩺 Why Sleep May Matter So Much

The study did not determine exactly why less sleep is tied to shorter life expectancy. However, sleep researchers noted that sleep affects many important body processes. For instance, getting enough sleep helps immune function stay strong. It also supports heart health and brain performance, experts say.

Scientists have long known that poor sleep raises risks for many health problems, including heart disease and metabolic disorders. This new research adds longevity to the list of concerns tied to chronic sleep deprivation.

🛌 Public Health Implications

The researchers say that more emphasis on sleep could benefit public health. They suggest that healthcare providers include sleep questions in routine checkups and that public campaigns encourage people to prioritise rest. As evidence grows, sleep may become a stronger focus in health policy discussions.

Lead author Andrew McHill, Ph.D. said people often overlook sleep. He noted that many see sleep as optional or secondary to diet and exercise. However, the study’s results show that sleep has a powerful influence on how long people live.