Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Fortune
Fortune
Tristan Bove

The dark side of the American work ethic: widespread sleep deprivation, linked to obesity, depression, even early death

Tired woman trying to sleep, life difficulties, feeling lonely and frustrated (Credit: Motortion via Getty Images)

Many Americans are long overdue for a good nap. Their health—and that of the economy—might depend on it.

A rising share of Americans are sleeping less than they should, adding on to the country’s persistent sleep deficit that public health experts say will lead to far worse outcomes than simple grogginess. In 2024, 30.5% of Americans—almost one third—slept on average less than seven hours a night, according to data released last week by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. Only 54.8% of adults wake up feeling well-rested on most days, the national survey found.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.