全球变暖让2500万美国人更加难以入睡

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the alarming connection between climate change and the increase in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), highlighting that rising temperatures can exacerbate this common sleep disorder, affecting both health and economic productivity [1][5][9]. Group 1: Health Implications - Obstructive sleep apnea affects over 25 million adults in the U.S., characterized by repeated breathing interruptions during sleep due to relaxed throat muscles [1][2]. - Increased environmental temperatures are linked to a 45% higher probability of experiencing OSA on certain nights [1][2]. - Untreated or severe OSA can lead to serious health issues, including dementia, Parkinson's disease, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, anxiety, and depression, potentially shortening lifespan [5][6]. Group 2: Economic Impact - The study estimates that the rise in OSA prevalence due to global warming will result in a loss of 30 billion USD in productivity and 68 billion USD in health deterioration costs globally [1][7]. - In 2023, the increase in OSA cases led to an additional 25 million days of absenteeism across 29 countries, translating to significant economic losses [7][8]. Group 3: Research Findings - The research analyzed sleep data from 116,620 participants across 29 countries over three and a half years, using FDA-approved monitoring devices to establish the link between daily environmental temperatures and OSA [2][3]. - The study warns that the sample may underestimate the health and economic burdens, as it primarily includes participants from developed countries with air conditioning, leaving low-income groups underrepresented [8]. Group 4: Future Projections - With global average temperatures expected to rise by 2.1°C to 3.4°C, the negative impacts of high temperatures on health are likely to worsen [9][10]. - Without effective policy measures to combat global warming, the burden of OSA could double by 2100 due to rising temperatures [10].