Daylight Saving Time Sparks Health Concerns Amid Clock Change

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — As daylight saving time began early Sunday morning, Americans lost an hour of sleep, reigniting discussions about the health impacts associated with this annual clock change. While most states adjusted their clocks forward, Arizona and Hawaii opted out, unchanged by this semi-annual tradition.

Dr. Melina Pavlova, a neurologist and medical director at the Clinical Sleep Laboratory at Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital, emphasized the potential consequences of losing that hour of sleep. ‘It’s more significant than many people realize,’ she said. ‘There are studies indicating that certain groups, particularly teenagers, are more affected because they can’t adjust their schedules adequately.’ According to Dr. Pavlova, the internal biological clock can lead to a delay in sleep for adolescents, making them more vulnerable to the effects of the time change.

The tradition of daylight saving time (DST) was first enacted in the U.S. in 1918 as a means to conserve energy during World War I, resulting in the wartime practice quickly being repealed a year later. It wasn’t until 1966 that the Uniform Time Act standardized DST across the nation.

If the U.S. were to abolish daylight saving time, sunrise and sunset would occur an hour earlier each day, whereas making DST permanent would have the opposite effect. Many health experts argue the negatives outweigh the benefits of DST, citing increased risks of heart attacks, stroke, and sleep disorders linked to the time shift.

According to a 2023 statement by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), the human biological clock, influenced by light and darkness, is disrupted by the time change. Their recommendations advocate for the elimination of daylight saving time for the sake of health. ‘When the solar clock is misaligned with the social clock, desynchronization can cause physical and mental health risks,’ the statement read.

In a poll of 2,000 Americans, 63% expressed support for eliminating the seasonal time changes. However, the debate continues, with proponents of DST arguing that it encourages outdoor activities and reduces energy usage. Notably, President Donald Trump‘s views on the issue have evolved; he stated last week that it’s a ’50-50 issue,’ indicating a willingness to consider different perspectives.

As San Diego residents also adjust their clocks, they can look forward to later sunsets, which will peak at around 8 p.m. during the summer months. Yet, as proven by recent studies, the seasonal time shifts can disturb sleep, leading to increased fatigue and health consequences for various age groups.

Given the growing concerns voiced by health professionals and public opinion, questions linger on whether the U.S. will adopt a permanent standard time in the future, thus alleviating the health impacts linked to DST.