From the Journals

Sleep Apnea’s Billion-Dollar Toll

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

By
Jess Allerton
February 25, 2026
2 min

Conexiant

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) incurs enormous economic costs due to productivity losses in the US and UK, totaling an estimated $180.2 billion and £4.22 billion annually. Characterized by repeated airway blockages during sleep, OSA leads to excessive daytime sleepiness. Despite high prevalence rates—22.8% in the US and 19.5% in the UK—diagnosis and treatment rates remain low. A study based on survey data from 3,523 US and 840 UK adults reveals that nearly 30% of US and 7% of UK participants met the criteria for OSA, indicating a significant burden on the workforce and highlighting the need for improved diagnosis and treatment methods.