Poor Sleep Is Threatening The Health Of 2/3 Of Americans
A new study suggests that approximately two-thirds of Americans are either sleeping too much or too little, which could negatively affect their health. People who do not get the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep each night face a 29% increased risk of premature death from any cause, according to research published on February 27 in JAMA Network Open. The study also found that inconsistent sleep patterns over a five-year period can elevate the risk of death from various causes, including heart disease.
Led by Kelsie Full, an assistant professor at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, the study analyzed sleep and health data from nearly 47,000 adults aged 40 to 79. Participants entered the study between 2002 and 2009 and were surveyed again between 2008 and 2013. The researchers categorized participants based on their sleep “trajectory,” which reflects changes in their sleep patterns over time. These included trajectories such as “short-long” (too little sleep at the start and too much later) and “long-short” (too much sleep initially followed by too little).
The results revealed that 66% of participants experienced irregular sleep patterns, either getting too much or too little sleep. For those on the “short-long” trajectory, the risk of death from any cause increased by 29%, while the “long-short” group had a 19% higher risk. The “long-long” group, who consistently got too much sleep, faced a 27% increased risk. In terms of heart-related deaths, those with irregular sleep patterns faced a 22% to 32% higher risk depending on the trajectory.
The study also showed stronger associations between irregular sleep and higher mortality among White adults and those with higher incomes. No significant differences were found based on sex. The findings underscore the importance of maintaining consistent, healthy sleep habits over time. Dayna Johnson, an associate professor of epidemiology at Emory University, pointed out that transitioning from unhealthy sleep patterns to healthy sleep is critical for improving health outcomes and reducing mortality risks.
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