Washington- USA – August 18,2025
A public health emergency is looming in the United States as growing numbers of Americans suffer from chronic insomnia and other sleep-related troubles. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that over one-third of US adults do not get the recommended amount of sleep, a deficit that has profound health and economic consequences. Experts are now calling for a national response to a crisis that extends far beyond individual fatigue.
The CDC’s data reveals that insufficient sleep is a widespread issue, with some studies showing a large portion of the adult population failing to get the minimum of seven hours of sleep per night. This widespread lack of sleep is linked to a host of serious chronic diseases, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and poor mental health. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine estimates that around 12% of Americans suffer from chronic insomnia, which is characterized by difficulty falling or staying asleep that persists for at least a month. The problem is so pervasive that it is considered a national health emergency.
The economic costs of this sleep crisis are staggering. According to a RAND Corporation report, insufficient sleep costs the US economy hundreds of billions of dollars annually in lost productivity, medical expenses, and workplace accidents. Drowsy driving alone is estimated to cause thousands of deaths and injuries each year. The report highlights that even a small increase in nightly sleep duration could add billions to the US economy, underscoring the immense financial burden of this public health issue.
This is more than just a matter of personal choice or poor habits. The problem has systemic roots, including the demands of a 24/7 society, long work hours, and the pervasive use of digital devices that emit blue light, which can disrupt the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle. The growing awareness of this crisis has prompted public health organizations to act. Initiatives are underway to educate the public on the importance of sleep hygiene and to increase access to sleep disorder evaluations and treatments. The National Healthy Sleep Awareness Project, a collaboration between the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the CDC, aims to promote healthy sleep and raise awareness of the dangers of chronic sleep loss.
Experts are urging for a shift in perception, moving away from the idea that sleep is a luxury and embracing it as a vital pillar of health. The hope is that through public awareness campaigns and a greater emphasis on sleep in healthcare, the nation can begin to reverse this alarming trend and address the hidden costs of a sleep-deprived society.
Headline Points
* A Growing Crisis: Insomnia and other sleep disorders are on the rise, with more than a third of US adults not getting enough sleep.
* Serious Health Risks: Sleep deprivation is linked to major chronic diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and mental health issues.
* Staggering Economic Costs: The US economy loses hundreds of billions of dollars annually due to low productivity and accidents caused by a lack of sleep.
* Call for Action: Public health experts are pushing for national initiatives to raise awareness and improve access to sleep health resources.
