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October 29, 2020
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Five articles on the health implications of daylight saving time

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Shifts in daylight saving time have been shown to increase the risk for adverse health effects such as cardiovascular issues and injuries, according to research published in PLoS Computational Biology.

For a recent study, Hanxin Zhang, a PhD candidate at the University of Chicago, and colleagues examined insurance claims from the United States and Sweden from 1968 to 2014. They estimated that each spring daylight saving time (DST) shift is associated with at least 880,000 negative health events globally, such as increases in depression and heart attack rates.

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Studies that show health consequences tied to the daylight saving time shift have prompted some in the medical community to advocate for the elimination of the bi-annual clock change. Photo source: Adobe Stock

The researchers concluded that the ramifications of DST shifts “be acknowledged and further tested.”

With DST coming to an end on Sunday, Healio Primary Care compiled a list of stories about the health implications of DST.

Sleep society calls for elimination of DST

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has issued a position statement seeking the elimination of DST, citing the unhealthy and sometimes deadly consequences of it. Read more.

BLOG: Bills to end daylight saving time change could end insulin pump glitch

Saleh Aldasouqi, MD, FACE, ECNU, a professor of medicine and chief of the endocrinology division at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine in East Lansing, discusses legislation that several states have already enacted to provide for year-round DST if Congress were to allow such a change. Read more.

Atrial fibrillation admissions increase at start of DST

Atrial fibrillation admissions were more likely to occur in the beginning of DST compared with the end of it, data presented at an American Heart Association Scientific Sessions show. Read more.

Sleep experts say DST needs to go

Healio spoke with a neurologist and sleep center director about the history of DST, the health implications of changing our clocks and how physicians can advocate for a permanent change. Read more.

BLOG: Daylight saving time and the artificial pancreas

The artificial pancreas provides “great and long-awaited promise” for people with type 1 diabetes regarding the technical concerns that often surround insulin delivery and DST, according to Aldasouqi. Read more.