This article discusses a new study conducted by Innerbody that examines sleep patterns in U.S. cities, revealing which cities are the most sleep-deprived. The study uses data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other benchmarks from the 100 most populous cities in the U.S. to assess sleep duration and quality.
According to the research, factors such as physical activity, obesity, alcohol consumption, mental distress, and noise and light pollution significantly impact sleep quality. These metrics were analyzed for each city, leading to the identification of the top 10 most sleep-deprived cities. The results indicate that many of these cities are located in the eastern half of the U.S., with Ohio appearing multiple times in the rankings.
Honolulu, Hawaii, was found to have the worst sleep duration, with 42.3% of adults getting fewer than seven hours of sleep per night. This was followed by Norfolk, Virginia; New Orleans, Louisiana; Detroit, Michigan; and Huntsville, Alabama. Meanwhile, Memphis, Tennessee, was ranked as the city with the worst sleep quality, with New Orleans, Virginia, Cincinnati, Ohio, and Corpus Christi, Texas, also appearing on the list.
The study also highlights the importance of location in influencing sleep health. Sleep expert Wendy Troxel, PhD, a senior behavioral specialist at the RAND Corporation and licensed clinical psychologist, confirmed that neighborhood conditions can significantly affect sleep quality. Troxel’s research, published in the journal Sleep Health, emphasized the need for community-based strategies to improve sleep health and address preventable chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and stroke.
Researchers noted that cooler temperatures in some locations may contribute to better sleep quality, and they recommended further investments in neighborhood improvements to enhance overall population health. The findings underscore the connection between sleep health and broader public health initiatives, suggesting that interventions targeting neighborhood conditions could yield significant benefits.