One-Third of US Adults Get Less Than 7 Hours of Sleep: Geographic Patterns Revealed
Are Most Americans Getting Enough Sleep?
No, and the numbers are concerning. This comprehensive CDC study found that 33.2% of US adults report sleeping less than the recommended 7 hours per night. The data reveals stark geographic and demographic patterns, with the highest rates of sleep deprivation clustered in the Southeast and Appalachian Mountains, affecting over one-third of the adult population in these regions.
Dr. Kumar’s Take
Sleep is not optional maintenance for your body and brain. This study shows that sleep deprivation has become a public health crisis affecting millions of Americans, with clear geographic hotspots that demand targeted intervention. If you live in high-risk areas or belong to affected demographic groups, prioritize sleep as seriously as you would any other health metric. Seven hours minimum is not a suggestion—it’s a biological requirement.