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Surprise, surprise. Americans are getting less sleep.
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This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.

Dec 13, 2018
Listen 20:26
Surprise, surprise. Americans are getting less sleep.
A new study published by researchers at USC, Arizona State and the University of South Carolina discovered a hike in Americans getting six hours or less of sleep a night.
Teens' biological clock drives them to stay up late and sleep in. Most school start times don't accommodate that drive.
Teens' biological clock drives them to stay up late and sleep in.
(
/Jasper Cole/Getty Images
)

A new study published by researchers at USC, Arizona State and the University of South Carolina discovered a hike in Americans getting six hours or less of sleep a night.

A new study published by researchers at USC, Arizona State and the University of South Carolina discovered a hike in Americans getting six hours or less of sleep a night.

Defined as “short” sleep, the data revealed that between 2013 and 2017 people sleeping six hours or less jumped from 29% to 33%, and was a significant trend among African-American and Hispanic individuals. What’s more worrying is that individuals in these communities seem to be experiencing less sleep at a faster rate than others.

So why are we tossing and turning? The researchers associated less sleep with periods of economic instability, societal stress and increased smartphone use.

Are you getting enough “zzz’s” each night? If not, why do you think that is? Stress? Instagram? Call 866.893.5722.

Guest:

Jennifer Ailshire, assistant professor of Gerontology and Sociology at USC; she is the senior author of the new study published in the journal, Sleep

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