A Sleep Disorder Affecting Nearly 1 Billion People Is Still Overlooked

Sleep apnea affects nearly 1 billion people worldwide, yet it is still frequently missed in routine primary care.

Symptoms and risk factors are often overlooked, even though untreated sleep apnea raises the risk of hypertension, heart failure, stroke, accidents, and dementia.

The condition is especially underdiagnosed in women, older adults, and people with obesity, despite growing prevalence.

Treatments such as CPAP and other therapies can improve outcomes, making better screening and diagnosis a key opportunity in healthcare.