Abolishing Time Change Could Save Lives
- What: A new study from Stanford University suggests permanently adopting standard time could prevent hundreds of thousands of strokes and reduce obesity rates in the United States.
- Where: The study focuses on the United States, with commentary from a neurologist at the Sacré-Coeur Hospital in Montreal, Canada.
- When: The research was published in November 2025, building on existing discussions about abolishing biannual time changes.
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Permanent Standard Time Could Significantly Improve Public Health, Study Finds
Table of Contents
The Case for permanent standard Time
Researchers at Stanford University in California estimate that ending the practice of changing clocks twice a year and permanently adopting standard time could prevent approximately 300,000 strokes annually in the United States. Furthermore, the study suggests that 2.6 million fewer people could live with obesity under a permanent standard time regime. This research, published in November 2025, adds considerable weight to the growing movement to abolish biannual time changes.
“This is one more step to show that keeping normal time would be beneficial for the health of the population,” commented Dr. Alex Desautels, a neurologist at the Sacré-Coeur Hospital in Montreal, who specializes in sleep physiology. “Until now, we only had theoretical evidence of the benefits of keeping standard time. (…) We are leaving the theoretical field with this study. These are data that are more anchored in population reality.”
Health Impacts of Time Changes
The study indicates that while a permanent adoption of daylight saving time would also yield some health benefits, those benefits would be roughly one-third less than those associated with permanent standard time. The researchers attribute this difference to the greater disruption caused by the biannual transitions themselves, nonetheless of the final time observed. The current system places a important “load on the circadian system” compared to either permanent standard time or permanent daylight saving time.
Human circadian rhythms aren’t precisely 24 hours long; thay average approximately 12 minutes longer for most individuals. Optimal synchronization with these rhythms requires more light exposure in the morning and less in the evening. The time change disrupts this natural synchronization, leading to health consequences. This disruption impacts hormone regulation, sleep patterns, and overall metabolic function.
Understanding Circadian Rhythms and Their Importance
Circadian rhythms are natural, internal processes that regulate the sleep-wake cycle and repeat roughly every 24 hours. These rhythms are influenced by external cues, primarily light, and play a crucial role in numerous physiological functions, including hormone release, body temperature, and cognitive performance. Disruptions to circadian rhythms, such as those caused by jet lag or shift work, have been linked to a variety of health problems, including:
- Sleep disorders
- Mood disorders (depression, anxiety)
- Cardiovascular disease
- Metabolic disorders (obesity, diabetes)
- Weakened immune function
Permanent standard time aims to minimize these disruptions by aligning societal time with the natural light-dark cycle, particularly during the winter months when morning light is scarce.
Comparing Standard Time and Daylight Saving Time
| Feature | standard Time | Daylight Saving Time |
|---|---|---|
| Sunrise/Sunset |