Why Ditching Daylight Saving Time Would Be A Public Health Win For Americans

Stanford University researchers predict that ending daylight saving time could reduce health problems nationwide. Computer models by bioengineer Lara Weed and psychiatrist Jamie M. Zeitzer suggest permanent Standard Time would cut obesity cases by 0.78%, preventing about 2.6 million cases. Stroke cases would drop by 0.09%, avoiding roughly 307,000 cases. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, analyzed light exposure patterns across all continental U.S. counties. Researchers found the current twice-yearly clock changes create the highest circadian burden in over 95% of counties. Even permanent Daylight Saving Time would improve health outcomes, though less dramatically than Standard Time. Major medical organizations including the American Academy of Sleep Medicine already support permanent Standard Time based on circadian health research. (Story URL)