Obstructive Sleep Apnea Expected to Affect Nearly 77 million U.S. Adults by 2050, New Resmed Study Finds
ResMed (NYSE:RMD) has published a landmark study in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine projecting that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) will affect nearly 77 million U.S. adults by 2050, representing a 35% increase from 2020. The research reveals significant demographic shifts, with women experiencing a 65% relative increase to 30.4 million cases, while men will see a 19% increase to 45.9 million cases.
The study, conducted through ResMed's medXcloud academic-industry collaborative, indicates that OSA will impact 46% of adults aged 30-69 by 2050. Notably, the impact of GLP-1 weight loss therapies is expected to be minimal, potentially reducing OSA prevalence by only 4% to 74 million cases. The research emphasizes the urgent need for enhanced screening, earlier diagnosis, and improved healthcare resource allocation to address this growing public health challenge.
ResMed (NYSE:RMD) ha pubblicato uno studio di rilievo su The Lancet Respiratory Medicine che stima che l'apnea ostruttiva del sonno (OSA) interesserà quasi 77 milioni di adulti statunitensi entro il 2050, segnando un aumento del 35% rispetto al 2020. La ricerca evidenzia cambiamenti demografici significativi: le donne registreranno un incremento relativo del 65%, arrivando a 30,4 milioni di casi, mentre gli uomini vedranno un 19% di aumento fino a 45,9 milioni.
Lo studio, realizzato tramite la collaborazione accademico-industriale medXcloud di ResMed, prevede che entro il 2050 la OSA coinvolgerà il 46% degli adulti tra i 30 e i 69 anni. L'effetto dei trattamenti dimagranti a base di GLP-1 dovrebbe essere minimo, riducendo la prevalenza di OSA di circa il 4% fino a 74 milioni di casi. I ricercatori sottolineano l'urgenza di potenziare lo screening, anticipare le diagnosi e riallocare le risorse sanitarie per affrontare questa crescente sfida di salute pubblica.
ResMed (NYSE:RMD) ha publicado un estudio importante en The Lancet Respiratory Medicine que proyecta que la apnea obstructiva del sueño (AOS) afectará a casi 77 millones de adultos en EE. UU. para 2050, un aumento del 35% respecto a 2020. La investigación muestra cambios demográficos notables: las mujeres experimentarán un incremento relativo del 65%, alcanzando 30,4 millones de casos, mientras que los hombres verán un incremento del 19% hasta 45,9 millones.
El estudio, realizado a través de la colaboración académica-industrial medXcloud de ResMed, indica que la AOS afectará al 46% de los adultos de 30 a 69 años para 2050. Se espera que el impacto de las terapias GLP-1 para la pérdida de peso sea mínimo, reduciendo la prevalencia de AOS solo en torno al 4% hasta 74 millones de casos. Los autores destacan la necesidad urgente de mejorar el cribado, diagnosticar antes y reasignar recursos sanitarios para afrontar este creciente reto de salud pública.
ResMed (NYSE:RMD)는 The Lancet Respiratory Medicine에 주요 연구를 발표했고, 이에 따르면 폐쇄성 수면무호흡증(OSA)이 2050년까지 미국 성인 약 7,700만 명에 영향을 미칠 것으로 예측되며 이는 2020년 대비 35% 증가한 수치입니다. 연구는 인구학적 변화도 보여주는데, 여성은 65%의 상대적 증가로 3,040만 건에 이르고 남성은 19% 증가로 4,590만 건에 이를 것으로 전망됩니다.
ResMed의 학계-산업 협력체 medXcloud를 통해 수행된 이 연구는 2050년에는 30~69세 성인의 46%가 OSA의 영향을 받을 것으로 보인다고 밝혔습니다. 체중감량을 위한 GLP-1 치료의 영향은 미미할 것으로 예상되어 OSA 유병률을 약 4% 낮춰 7,400만 건에 머무를 가능성이 있습니다. 연구진은 이 커지는 공중보건 문제에 대응하기 위해 선별검사 확대, 조기 진단, 의료자원 배분 개선의 시급성을 강조했습니다.
ResMed (NYSE:RMD) a publié une étude majeure dans The Lancet Respiratory Medicine estimant que l'apnée obstructive du sommeil (AOS) touchera près de 77 millions d'adultes américains d'ici 2050, soit une hausse de 35% par rapport à 2020. L'étude met en lumière des évolutions démographiques importantes : les femmes connaîtront une augmentation relative de 65%, atteignant 30,4 millions de cas, tandis que les hommes verront une augmentation de 19% pour atteindre 45,9 millions.
Réalité de la collaboration académie-industrie medXcloud de ResMed, l'étude prévoit que 46% des adultes âgés de 30 à 69 ans seront affectés par l'AOS en 2050. L'impact des traitements de perte de poids par agonistes du GLP-1 devrait être limité, réduisant la prévalence d'environ 4% à 74 millions de cas. Les chercheurs soulignent l'urgence de renforcer le dépistage, d'accélérer les diagnostics et d'améliorer l'allocation des ressources de santé pour faire face à ce défi croissant de santé publique.
ResMed (NYSE:RMD) hat in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine eine bedeutende Studie veröffentlicht, die prognostiziert, dass obstruktive Schlafapnoe (OSA) bis 2050 fast 77 Millionen erwachsene US-Amerikaner betreffen wird — ein Anstieg von 35% gegenüber 2020. Die Forschung zeigt erhebliche demografische Verschiebungen: Bei Frauen wird ein relativer Anstieg von 65% auf 30,4 Millionen Fälle erwartet, bei Männern ein Anstieg von 19% auf 45,9 Millionen.
Die Studie, durchgeführt über ResMeds akademisch-industrielle Zusammenarbeit medXcloud, legt nahe, dass bis 2050 46% der 30- bis 69-Jährigen von OSA betroffen sein werden. Der Einfluss von GLP-1-Gewichtsreduktionstherapien dürfte gering ausfallen und die OSA-Prävalenz nur um etwa 4% auf 74 Millionen Fälle senken. Die Autoren betonen die Dringlichkeit besserer Screening-Maßnahmen, frühzeitiger Diagnosen und einer optimierten Zuteilung von Gesundheitsressourcen, um diese wachsende öffentliche Gesundheitsherausforderung zu bewältigen.
- First comprehensive data-driven forecast of OSA prevalence in the U.S. through 2050
- Study published in prestigious The Lancet Respiratory Medicine journal, enhancing credibility
- Research positions ResMed as a thought leader in sleep medicine
- Highlights significant market growth potential for ResMed's sleep and breathing solutions
- GLP-1 weight loss drugs show minimal impact on reducing OSA prevalence (only 4% reduction)
- Current 80% underdiagnosis rate indicates significant challenges in market penetration
- Healthcare system may face resource constraints in addressing growing OSA prevalence
Insights
ResMed's study projecting 35% increase in sleep apnea prevalence by 2050 signals significant long-term market growth opportunity.
ResMed's landmark study published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine projects obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) will affect 77 million U.S. adults by 2050, representing a
The most striking finding is the projected
Particularly notable is the study's sensitivity analysis on GLP-1 weight loss medications, showing they would reduce OSA prevalence by only
With current diagnosis rates at only
By highlighting that
Published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, research reveals sharp rise in OSA, especially among women, highlighting the need for earlier diagnosis, preventative strategies, and personalized care
SAN DIEGO, Aug. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Resmed (NYSE: RMD, ASX: RMD), the leading health technology company focused on sleep, breathing, and care delivered in the home, today announced the publication of a landmark study in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine projecting a significant rise in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in the United States over the next three decades due to a variety of factors, including an aging population and increasing body mass index (BMI).
The study estimates that by 2050, OSA will affect nearly 77 million U.S. adults, representing a relative1 increase of nearly
OSA is a chronic sleep-related breathing disorder where breathing repeatedly stops during sleep, affecting nearly 1 billion people globally2. It is linked to serious health consequences, including hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and even stroke3. Yet, more than
“This study reaffirms that the number of people with OSA is expected to dramatically increase,” said Carlos Nunez, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Resmed and Study Co-Author. “As an industry, we must expand screening, increase awareness of symptoms among providers and consumers, and make it easier for people to get tested and treated, including at home. If we don’t act, we risk missing tens of millions of people who need access to care.”
Led by researchers at Resmed through their medXcloud academic-industry collaborative, involving global academic thought leaders in the fields of sleep and respiratory medicine, the study also found:
- A
65% relative increase in OSA prevalence among women, reaching 30.4 million by 2050: The sharp rise, attributed to factors like an aging population and underdiagnosis5, underscores the need for greater awareness of how OSA presents differently in women to support earlier screening, diagnosis, and targeted treatment. - A
19% relative increase in OSA prevalence among men, reaching 45.9 million cases by 2050: This continued rise reflects ongoing risk in aging male populations, highlighting the need for scalable diagnostic pathways and long-term treatment strategies. - The impact of GLP-1 therapies on future OSA prevalence is anticipated to be limited, with reductions estimated at under
5% : Even with advances in emerging drugs, such as GLP-1s, the overall number of people affected by OSA is expected to continue growing. GLP-1 use is estimated to reduce relative OSA prevalence by only4% by 2050, from nearly 77 million cases to nearly 74 million cases. These estimates, from a sensitivity analysis included in the study, reflect that obesity is only one of many factors contributing to OSA, and that the significant overall growth of OSA prevalence remains a public health priority.
"Understanding how the prevalence of sleep apnea may grow, and who will be most affected, is essential for shaping smarter proactive health and public health strategies,” said Atul Malhotra, MD, Senior Author of the Study, Vice Chair of Medicine for Research, Research Chief of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep Medicine, and Physiology, and Peter C. Farrell Presidential Chair and Tenured Professor of Respiratory Medicine at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine, and Pulmonologist at UC San Diego Health. “This study fills an important gap by helping health systems, payers, and policymakers anticipate what’s coming so they can invest in earlier diagnosis, expand access to care, and improve long-term outcomes for millions of patients across the country.”
“Sleep apnea has long been underdiagnosed and underprioritized,” said Elroy Boers, Ph.D., Lead Author of the Study and Research Scientist at Resmed. “This is the first data-driven forecast of how OSA may evolve, evidence that can drive earlier detection, proactive care, and smarter policy.”
Earlier this year, Resmed announced results from a meta-analysis published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, which found that treating OSA with CPAP therapy can significantly reduce the risk of death6. Together, these studies highlight the need to raise awareness, enable earlier diagnosis, and ensure ongoing care to help improve outcomes and reduce the public health burden of sleep apnea.
To read the full study, see the publication in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine.
To better understand your sleep health, take Resmed’s sleep assessment.
About Resmed
Resmed (NYSE: RMD, ASX: RMD) creates life-changing health technologies that people love. We’re relentlessly committed to pioneering innovative technology to empower millions of people in 140 countries to live happier, healthier lives. Our AI-powered digital health solutions, cloud-connected devices and intelligent software make home healthcare more personalized, accessible and effective. Ultimately, Resmed envisions a world where every person can achieve their full potential through better sleep and breathing, with care delivered in their own home. Learn more about how we’re redefining sleep health at Resmed.com and follow @Resmed.
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1 Relative change refers to the percentage difference between two values, calculated in relation to the starting value.
2Benjafield AV, Ayas NT, Eastwood PR, Heinzer R, Ip MSM, Morrell MJ, Nunez CM, Patel SR, Penzel T, Pépin JL, Peppard PE, Sinha S, Tufik S, Valentine K, Malhotra A. Estimation of the global prevalence and burden of obstructive sleep apnoea: a literature-based analysis. Lancet Respir Med. 2019 Aug;7(8):687-698. doi: 10.1016/S2213-2600(19)30198-5. Epub 2019 Jul 9. PMID: 31300334; PMCID: PMC7007763.
3 Yeghiazarians Y, Jneid H, Tietjens JR, et al. Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation 2021; 144(3): e56-e67.
4 Frost & Sullivan for the AASM; Hidden Health Crisis Costing America Billions; 2016
5 Bouloukaki I, Tsiligianni I, Schiza S. Evaluation of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Female Patients in Primary Care: Time for Improvement? Med Princ Pract. 2021;30(6):508-514
6 Benjafield et al; Positive airway pressure therapy and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in people with obstructive sleep apnoea: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials and confounder-adjusted, non-randomised controlled studies; Lancet Respir Med 2025
FAQ
What is the projected number of U.S. adults with sleep apnea by 2050 according to ResMed's study?
How will OSA prevalence differ between men and women by 2050?
What impact will GLP-1 weight loss drugs have on sleep apnea rates according to ResMed's research?
What percentage of adults aged 30-69 will be affected by sleep apnea in 2050?
What is the current diagnosis rate for sleep apnea according to ResMed's study?
