In an age where exhaustion seems to be a collective experience, a recent study by PlushBeds, utilizing CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data, sheds light on the intricate dynamics of sleep disparities across different demographics, particularly highlighting the impact of financial stress, racial background, and geographic location on sleep quality.
Millennials, identified as the generation most burdened by financial stress, particularly stand out in this analysis. This group’s sleep struggles are multifaceted, rooted in lifestyle habits such as pre-bedtime technology use, the hustle of balancing multiple jobs, and the long-term financial repercussions of the 2008 recession. The pandemic era further exacerbated these challenges, with CNBC highlighting that millennials and Gen Z saw significant declines in their savings, compounded for millennials by higher incidences of credit card debt exceeding their savings.
The study reveals a profound sleep gap along racial lines, with Black Millennial Americans reporting the lowest average nightly sleep, a reflection of the deep-seated racial inequities in the United States. The statistics are telling: 71% of white Americans manage to get at least seven hours of sleep, in stark contrast to 58% of Black Americans. This discrepancy underscores the pervasive effects of racial injustice on daily living and well-being.
Geographically, the Midwest emerges as a sanctuary of rest, with South Dakota and Minnesota boasting the highest percentages of residents getting adequate sleep—attributed in part to superior air quality, which has been linked to longer sleep duration. On the flip side, states like Hawaii, West Virginia, and Alabama lag behind, with a notable disparity between renters and homeowners that hints at economic stability as a critical factor for sufficient rest.
Additionally, the presence of children in the home uniformly affects parents’ sleep, regardless of gender, with 36% of parents not meeting the recommended sleep duration. This piece of data adds another layer to the complex puzzle of sleep quality, intertwining with financial, racial, and geographical factors to paint a comprehensive picture of sleep in America.
In sum, this study not only highlights the crucial role of sleep in overall health and well-being but also points to the broader social determinants of health that require attention. Addressing these disparities demands a multidimensional approach, considering the interplay of economic, racial, and environmental factors to foster a society where restful sleep is accessible to all.