Breaking Down Barriers: At-Home Sleep Apnea Tests Improve Access to Care

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a chronic condition that affects an estimated 90 million adults and children in the U.S. Despite this, OSA remains grossly underdiagnosed. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 80% to 90% of sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBDs), including OSA, go undetected and untreated. This gap underscores the urgent need for accessible, affordable, and reliable diagnostic solutions. Enter the era of at-home diagnostics—a paradigm shift transforming OSA detection and management.

Enhancing Accessibility with Wearable Technology

Traditional in-lab polysomnography (PSG), while considered the gold standard for diagnosing OSA, is expensive and inconvenient. Costs range from $2,000 to $6,000 per study, making it inaccessible to many patients, especially those uninsured. Additionally, sleep labs often face backlogs with wait times exceeding 90 days. These barriers discourage patients from pursuing necessary evaluations, leaving millions untreated and vulnerable to the serious health risks of OSA.

Geography itself presents a challenge for these traditional tests. For individuals in rural areas, long distances to sleep centers often require overnight stays, creating logistical hurdles and increasing the financial burden of transportation and accommodation.

For patients who face accessibility challenges with traditional sleep labs, wearable solutions represent a game-changer. The devices are compact, non-invasive, and easy to use. Unlike cumbersome in-lab setups, this approach eliminates the need for overnight lab stays, empowering patients to take charge of their health from the comfort of their homes.

Cloud-based platforms further enhance the scalability and accessibility of this technology. The platforms integrate seamlessly with telemedicine consultations, connecting patients to trained sleep physicians. This comprehensive model ensures that patients not only receive accurate diagnostics but also personalized treatment plans tailored to their specific needs.

The Cost of Ignoring Sleep Disorders

One of the biggest challenges in addressing OSA is dispelling the myths surrounding the condition. Many people dismiss OSA as “just snoring,” unaware of the severe health risks it poses. OSA is linked to a multitude of conditions, including high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, depression, and even cognitive decline.

Undiagnosed and untreated OSA contributes to significant health risks and economic burdens. OSA-related heart complications alone result in 38,000 deaths annually in the U.S. Untreated OSA significantly impacts individuals’ quality of life, leading to daytime sleepiness, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.

At-home diagnostics address these challenges by breaking down traditional barriers. The devices’ affordability and ease of use enable widespread adoption, ensuring that patients from diverse backgrounds can access the care they need. By removing the financial and logistical hurdles associated with traditional sleep studies, at-home testing is poised to revolutionize OSA detection, ensuring timely treatment and significantly improving the health of millions of Americans.

Transforming Sleep Health with Innovation

As healthcare increasingly embraces digital transformation, the rise of at-home diagnostics represents a significant leap forward. With 30% to 50% of consumers now adopting self-monitoring tools, the trend toward patient-driven care is undeniable. By leveraging wearable technology and cloud-based platforms, patients can not only improve diagnostic accuracy but be empowered to take an active role in their health.

The impact of this shift extends beyond individual patients. For healthcare providers, at-home testing reduces operational costs and streamlines workflows, enabling them to reach more patients. For policymakers, it represents a scalable, cost-effective solution to address the growing burden of sleep disorders.

Obstructive sleep apnea is a pervasive yet underdiagnosed condition with far-reaching health and economic consequences. The transition from in-lab polysomnography to at-home diagnostics marks a significant turning point in the fight against OSA. The result is innovative sleep health that’s more accessible, affordable, and patient-centered. By eliminating barriers to diagnosis and offering effective treatment options, at-home diagnostics are set to transform the landscape of sleep health for millions of Americans.

R. Kirk Hunstman
R. Kirk Huntsman
Chairman, CEO and Co-founder at Vivos Therapeutics |  + posts

R. Kirk Huntsman, Chairman, CEO and Co-founder of Vivos Therapeutics, is a distinguished leader in the dental and healthcare industries, renowned for founding and growing successful dental service organizations (DSOs). In 1995, he founded Dental One, expanding it to over 165 practices across 15 states before its sale in 2008. He later led ReachOut Healthcare America, a Morgan Stanley Private Equity portfolio company, and established both Xenith Practices and Ortho Ventures. Since 2016, Kirk has served as CEO and chairman of Vivos, driving advancements in dental technology. As a founding member of the Association of Dental Support Organizations (ADSO), he continues to shape the industry's future. For more about Vivos Therapeutics visit https://vivos.com/