Sleep Apnea’s Billion-Dollar Toll

New analysis links untreated OSA to major productivity losses in working-age adults in the US and UK

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Untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is linked to annual productivity losses of $180.2 billion in the US and £4.22 billion in the UK.
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The estimated prevalence of OSA syndrome is 22.8% in the US and 19.5% in the UK, with higher rates among adults aged 18 to 64.
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The annual productivity loss per affected worker is estimated at $3727.40 in the US and approximately £1840 in the UK.
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Diagnosis and treatment rates for OSA remain low, and adherence to CPAP therapy is often suboptimal despite its cost-effectiveness.
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The study emphasizes the need for objective sleep testing for accurate diagnosis while acknowledging the potential for misclassification.

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