Prioritising sleep can reverse health risks and extend life, according to Discovery’s analysis of 47 million sleep records

Johannesburg, 7 October 2025 – Today, Discovery hosted its inaugural Sleep Summit, a landmark gathering of local and global thought leaders, clinical experts, and Discovery executives, aimed at elevating one of the most overlooked pillars of health: sleep. At this event, Discovery unveiled its new research report, ‘The Sleep Factor: A Data-Led Blueprint for Better Health’, and announced the integration of sleep as a measurable, incentivised behaviour across Discovery Health, Vitality, and Insure. This bold move positions sleep alongside nutrition and exercise as a core focus for better health, longevity, and wellbeing.

'The Sleep Factor' is one of the most comprehensive analyses of sleep health in the private sector and reveals that sleep has measurable impacts on longevity, mental health, chronic disease and road safety. The findings are both striking and actionable. Drawn from over 47 million sleep records and enriched with clinical and behavioural data, the report highlights Discovery’s findings as a whole and urges elevating sleep to the level of nutrition and exercise in public health strategies.

“Sleep is not a luxury; it’s a clinical imperative” – Dr Mosima Mabunda

Sleep health is about more than just how long one sleeps (duration), it also includes regularity, quality and timing. ‘Sleep Factor’ reveals that one in two Vitality members have at least one sleep metric out of range, and those with insufficient and irregular sleep patterns face a 22% higher risk of early death.

Encouragingly, when sleep duration and regularity improve, mortality risk returns to near-normal levels, showing that sleep is a modifiable behaviour with life-saving and life-extending potential.

“Sleep is not a luxury; it’s a clinical imperative,” said Dr Mosima Mabunda, Chief Clinical Officer at Vitality, at the Summit. “Our research shows that improving sleep quality is one of the most potent, yet underutilised, ways to reduce cardiometabolic risk. That’s why, at Vitality, we’re committed to turning sleep into a measurable, incentivised health behaviour.”

Expert speaker at the Summit, Nadine Rampf – Associate Professor in the Division of Clinical Anatomy at the University of Stellenbosch added: “Sleep is not downtime - it’s the active biology that keeps our brains and bodies running. When we prioritise sleep, we unlock human potential, safer decisions, stronger health, and greater resilience. Neglecting sleep impacts every system in the body, but protecting it is one of the most powerful predictors of long-term health and longevity.”

Sleep affects mental and physical health

There’s a two-way relationship between sleep and optimal health. Poor sleep can increase the risk of developing physical or mental health conditions, or both, while poor physical and mental health can negatively affect sleep quality and duration. This two-way relationship creates a cycle that can accelerate disease progression and reduce quality of life.

Poor sleep is also linked to impaired concentration, reduced decision-making capacity, increased stress, and low mood, all of which impact one’s performance, productivity, and day-to-day functioning.

Discovery Health Medical Scheme data shows that individuals sleeping less than six hours per night (compared to those sleeping seven to eight hours), have a higher risk of developing diabetes, obesity, coronary heart disease and symptoms of depression, as follows:

• 65% higher risk of diabetes

• 41% higher risk of obesity

• 33% higher risk of coronary heart disease

• 20% higher risk of depression symptoms

Claims for sleep disorders in the Discovery Health Medical Scheme have grown 2.8 times from 2008 to 2024, with insomnia accounting for 55% of those claims in 2024, and obstructive sleep apnoea emerging as the fastest-growing condition.

“The evidence is telling us something important,” said Dr Ron Whelan, CEO of Discovery Health. “Sleep is emerging as one of the strongest predictors of chronic disease and mental health challenges. We cannot afford to overlook sleep in our approach to prevention and healthcare.”

Sleep is a key factor in safer driving

Sleep is not only a long-term health determinant, but it also directly influences driving behaviour and risk of motor vehicle accidents. Discovery Insure data reveals that sleep is a five times stronger predictor of motor-vehicle accident risk than demographic or credit factors. Drivers who sleep only four to five hours per night face a 4.3 times higher motor-vehicle accident risk. Conversely, sleeping enough hours reduces accident risk by 32%, and maintaining a regular sleep schedule reduces it by 36%.

“Driving safety starts long before you get behind the wheel,” said Robert Attwell, CEO of Discovery Insure. “By helping and incentivising our members to improve their sleep habits, we’re not only supporting their health, but also making roads safer for everyone.”

Sleep must be prioritised in health and wellness

As data and expert insights continue to highlight the impact of sleep, the case for prioritising sleep in health strategies is stronger than ever.

“Nutrition and physical activity are well-established pillars of preventative care,” said Dinesh Govender, CEO of Discovery Vitality. “This evidence shows that sleep is equally critical and must be prioritised in clinical care, workplace wellbeing programmes, and individual health behaviours.” ”

“Sleep is the single most effective thing that you can do each and every day to reset your brain and your body,” said Dr Matt Walker in a video played at the Summit. Walker is a world-renowned sleep expert, Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, and founder of the Centre for Human Sleep Science.“What’s remarkable about what Discovery and Vitality are doing is that they are truly placing sleep at the very heart of how we understand health and wellness. This approach is set to improve not only the longevity and lifespan of their members, but also the quality of those years - their healthspan. I am proud to be partnering with Discovery and Vitality on this journey.”

Discovery’s upcoming (Q1 2026) integration of sleep across Vitality, Discovery Health and Discovery Insure reflects a commitment to elevate sleep as a measurable, actionable, and incentivised health behaviour. Through Vitality Sleep Rewards, personalised Vitality Sleep Scores, proactive identification of sleep disorder risk, and Vitality’s exclusive partnership with Oura, Discovery is making sleep health measurable, actionable and rewarded, helping members live longer, healthier lives.

ENDS

Notes to editor

• Watch the recording of Discovery’s Sleep Summit (which took place on 7 October 2025)

• Read ‘The Sleep Factor: A data-led blueprint for better health’

• Watch Vitality’s video summarising the insights of The Sleep Factor report.