It's not diet or exercise – which aspect of life is linked to longevity

A large-scale analysis of data from U.S. counties has shown that sleep quality and duration may play a more fundamental role in longevity than diet or exercise. Researchers at Oregon State University compared mortality rates with average sleep time, identifying a critical threshold of less than seven hours. The association remained even after adjusting for education, employment, and physical activity.

A large-scale analysis of data collected across various U.S. counties has shown that the quality and duration of nighttime sleep may play a more fundamental role in longevity than commonly thought. Researchers at Oregon State University of Health and Science compared life expectancy indicators with average daily sleep time, using data from social surveys spanning 2019–2025. A critical threshold was identified as less than seven hours of sleep per day. Even after adjusting data for education level, employment, and physical activity, the link between chronic sleep deprivation and reduced life expectancy remained extremely strong. In initial modeling stages, only tobacco smoking showed a stronger impact on mortality. Sleep physiologist Andrew McGill acknowledged that the results came as a surprise to the research team. The authors emphasize that the work is observational in nature and does not prove a causal relationship. Experts advise adults to get at least seven hours of sleep daily, with an optimal range of seven to nine hours.