February 5, 2026 | Women in Leadership, Women in healthcare
While obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects approximately 32% of US adults—nearly 80 million people—it remains an “epidemic hiding in plain sight”. Perhaps most staggering is that 90% of women with the condition are undiagnosed. In the latest Hear From Her podcast, host Jovana Lubarda, PhD, joins Dr. Kimberly Sterling and Dr. Audrey Wells to discuss why women are slipping through the diagnostic cracks.

Listen to the full episode here.
The “Invisible” Symptoms
The traditional “poster child” for OSA is a middle-aged man who snores loudly, but these symptoms often do not apply to women. Dr. Wells and Dr. Sterling, both of whom are OSA patients themselves, highlight that women’s symptoms are often subtle and non-specific:
Listen to the full episode here.
Why Treatment Matters
Untreated OSA is a breathing disorder that erodes brain, heart, and metabolic health. However, modern CPAP technology is now quiet, travel-friendly, and customized. Research even suggests that CPAP treatment can lead to a 37% lower risk of all-cause mortality and a 55% lower risk of cardiovascular mortality.
“Until you look, you don’t actually know,” warns Dr. Wells. By advocating for your own sleep health, you can move past the exhaustion and reclaim your vitality.
Listen to the full episode now to learn how to stop overexplaining your exhaustion and start reclaiming your vitality.
Follow us for updates on upcoming podcasts and more insightful conversations.
For more information, please contact Jelena Spyropoulos.
About Medscape Education
Medscape Education (medscape.org) is the leading destination for continuous professional development, consisting of more than 30 specialty-focused destinations offering thousands of free CME and CE courses for physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professional
This content was provided by Medscape Education
Company Details
Latest Content from Medscape Education
Tomorrow at 2 PM ET, join Medscape for a thought-provoking Afternoon Snack Session at CMEpalooza Spring 2025, titled “Reverse Planning with Forward Thinking.” This session will spotlight how clear communication…
As deadly as the measles outbreak in west Texas and New Mexico is the spread of vaccine conspiracy theories and misinformation. According to KFF research from November 2024, childhood vaccination…
How do we impress upon women that they need to prioritize their own health before providing for the people who need them? A leader in medical oncology has a few…
Medscape, a global leader in infectious disease education, continues its commitment to advancing knowledge in the field. With 1.47 million ID learners in 2024, the Medscape team will travel to…
Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionising the field of cardiology, offering new hope for patients with cardiovascular disorders. AI is no longer futuristic, it’s a real-world tool, transforming patient care and…
The Medscape team is back in Chicago for the much-anticipated ACC 2025 conference, March 29-31, bringing an array of engaging educational booth highlights, interactive symposia, scientific posters, and more for…
Medscape is proud to highlight Michelle A. Worst, PharmD, BCOP, MBA, CHCP, Senior Director and Team Lead of Clinical Strategy in Hematology/Oncology, for her well-deserved recognition as the recipient of…
Medscape Education, the leader in continuing medical education for healthcare professionals, is extending its commitment to closing gaps in women’s health by expanding the efforts of its Innovations in Women’s…
One of the toughest challenges of educating many African women about female cancers and disease prevention is overcoming cultural biases, as well as shame, stigma, and misinformation. Here’s how two…
Just in time for Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day on March 8th, Medscape is proud to showcase its dedication to advancing women’s health education. Sara Thorpe, MPH, Director,…
