Sleep Deprivation Increases Early Death Risk: New Study

Sleep deprivation increases early death risk, according to a new medical study from the United States. Researchers say sleep does more than restore energy and mental focus. It also helps predict how long a person may live.

The study comes from Oregon Health & Science University. Researchers found that good sleep at night plays a much bigger role in long life than previously believed.

The study showed that people who make short sleep a daily habit face a much higher risk of early death. The risk rises clearly when sleep deprivation continues for years.

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Researchers analyzed a large U.S. database to study factors linked to average lifespan. They compared this data with a survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The survey collected data between 2019 and 2025.

When scientists reviewed lifestyle factors, sleep stood out as a key element. The study found that sleep affects lifespan more than diet, physical activity, or loneliness. However, smoking still causes more damage than lack of sleep.

Researchers said the results surprised them. They did not expect sleep to have such a strong link with lifespan. They explained that people should make seven to nine hours of sleep a daily routine.

Scientists also said earlier studies linked poor sleep with higher death risk. This research proved for the first time that sleep directly connects with average lifespan.

According to researchers, every adult needs at least seven hours of sleep each night to support a longer life.

The study did not examine the biological reasons behind this link. However, researchers said sleep plays a vital role in heart health, immune function, and brain performance.

They stressed that people should give sleep the same importance as food and exercise. Many people think they can recover sleep on weekends, but nightly good sleep improves health and increases lifespan.

The findings appeared in the journal Sleep Advances. The study confirms that sleep deprivation increases early death risk and should not be ignored.