Sleep Difficulties in Adults: United States, 2020

Key findings Data from the National Health Interview Survey ● In 2020, 14.5% of adults had trouble falling asleep most days or every day in the past 30 days. ● The percentage of adults who had trouble falling asleep increased as educational attainment and family income decreased and as place of residence became more rural. ● A greater percentage of non-Hispanic White (21.0%) adults had trouble staying asleep most days or every day in the past 30 days compared with non-Hispanic Black (15.4%), Hispanic (10.6%), and non-Hispanic Asian (8.7%) adults. ● The percentage of adults who had trouble staying asleep increased as family income decreased and as place of residence became more rural. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society recommend adults sleep at least 7 hours a night (1); over one-quarter of adults do not meet this recommendation (2). Signs of good sleep quality include taking less time to fall asleep and not waking up often or for long periods (3). This report uses 2020 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data to describe the prevalence of sleep difficulties, defined here as trouble falling or staying asleep most days or every day in the past 30 days, among adults in the United States by sociodemographic and geographic characteristics. Suggested citation: Adjaye-Gbewonyo D, Ng AE, Black LI. Sleep difficulties in adults: United States, 2020. NCHS Data Brief, no 436. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2022. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.15620/ cdc:117490. CS331295 db436.pdf