In brief: Global warming and sleep apnea link, ADHA opposes Arizona bill, US drops alcohol limitation guidelines

Link between global warming and sleep apnea

Climate change is affecting our health in more ways than one—it isn't just smog or toxic emissions we have to worry about anymore. A new study published in Nature Communications uncovered a link between rising global temperatures and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Sleep experts at Flinders University believe this condition will become more severe and commonplace as global warming grows worse.¹

Dr. Bastien Lechat, lead author in the Nature study, noted that: "The increase in OSA prevalence in 2023 due to global warming was associated with a loss of approximately 800,000 healthy life years across the 29 countries studied ... Our findings highlight that without greater policy action to slow global warming, OSA burden may double by 2100 due to rising temperatures."¹

Individuals with sleep apnea are at an increased risk of developing dementia, Parkinson's disease, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, anxiety and depression, and an overall reduced quality of life.

It is important to be aware of potential signs of OSA in your patients and refer them to a trusted physician. According to senior researcher Danny Eckert, "Higher rates of diagnosis and treatment will help us to manage and reduce the adverse health and productivity issues caused by climate related OSA."¹

Read additional findings from the study at Nature Communications here.

ADHA fights for educational standards in dental hygiene

Earlier last week, the ADHA opposed a pending Arizona bill designed to eliminate Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) requirements for dental assistants seeking oral preventive assistant (OPA) roles. Allowing this bill to pass would not only put patient health at risk by allowing individuals to practice dentistry without the proper licensure but would also lower the standard of care.²

This bill passed in the Arizona House on June 18 and will now be returned to the Senate for a final vote before June 30. If it passes, dental assistants will be able to attend a licensed "private postsecondary educational institution" as a part of their OPA training in lieu of graduation from CODA-accredited programs—which was originally required in Arizona's recently passed SB 1124 bill.

In their statement, the ADHA urged the Senate to "take immediate action to stop SB 1037 in its tracks" and expressed concern that this bill was "heavily influenced by lobbying from for-profit private dental assisting schools, prioritizing financial interests over the public's oral health."²

US government may revise alcohol consumption guidelines

The US is expected to eliminate their recommendation for adult alcohol consumption in the soon-to-be updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans. As it stands, experts advise limiting alcohol to one to two drinks per day—one serving or less for women and two servings or less for men.³

These guidelines were developed by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). They are reissued every five years and have not changed their position statement on alcohol since 1990. HHS leader RFK Jr. has remained silent on this potential change despite being an open advocate for sobriety.

However, some law officials and researchers are lobbying for tighter restrictions. Former US surgeon general Vivek Murthy is calling for warning labels to be issued on alcoholic drinks as alcohol consumption increases the risk of various cancers. Eva Greenthal, a senior policy scientist at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, believes a lax attitude toward alcohol consumption would make it harder for consumers to understand its connection to cancer.³

To read the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans, click here.

References

Lechat B, Manners J, Pinilla L, et al. Global warming may increase the burden of obstructive sleep apnea. Nat Commun. 2025;16(1):5100. doi:10.1038/s41467-025-60218-1
ADHA opposes Arizona senate bill 1037 amendment. American Dental Hygienists Association. June 19, 2025. https://www.adha.org/newsroom/adha-opposes-arizona-senate-bill-1037-amendment-that-eliminates-coda-educational-standards-for-opas/
Rumney E, DiNapoli J. US to drop guidance to limit alcohol to one or two drinks per day, sources say. Yahoo! News. June 18, 2025. https://ca.news.yahoo.com/exclusive-us-drop-guidance-limit-100739156.html