Science Source

Nighttime temperature and human sleep loss in a changing climate

States that human sleep is highly regulated by temperature
Conducts the inaugural investigation of the relationship between climatic anomalies, reports of insufficient sleep, and projected climate change
Uses data from 765,000 U.S. survey respondents from 2002 to 2011, coupled with nighttime temperature data
Shows that increases in nighttime temperatures amplify self-reported nights of insufficient sleep
Observes the largest effects during the summer and among both lower-income and elderly respondents
Combines historical estimates with climate model projections and details the potential sleep impacts of future climatic changes
Represents the largest ever investigation of the relationship between sleep and ambient temperature and provides the first evidence that climate change may disrupt human sleep