Nearly 3 in 4 Americans are battling the same exhausting health problem, CDC reveals
Exhaustion has become the default state for a vast majority of Americans.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics shows that more than seven in 10 U.S. adults experience fatigue over any given three-month period — a drain that public health officials say is taking a heavy toll on work and daily life.
The report, based on the 2024 National Health Interview Survey of roughly 27,000 adults, revealed that exhaustion is one of the most common health complaints nationwide.
COMMON BEDROOM MISTAKE COULD BE QUIETLY TAKING A TOLL ON YOUR HEALTH, EXPERTS SAY The CDC defines fatigue as a state of physical or mental exhaustion that does not improve with rest, distinguishing it from simple sleepiness.
Overall, 71.5% of respondents reported feeling fatigued on at least some days, with 16.6% reporting "frequent fatigue" — defined as feeling exhausted most days or every day.
"Fatigue can be caused by numerous issues," Dr.
Earnest Lee Murray, a board-certified neurologist at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital in Jackson, Tennessee, told Fox News Digital.
While underlying hormonal, cardiac or neurological conditions can play a role, "a vast majority of fatigue people experience is probably related to poor sleep quality as well as psychosocial stress, which a lot of times go hand-in-hand." NIGHTTIME BATHROOM TRIPS COULD REVEAL HIDDEN HEALTH ISSUES — HERE'S WHEN TO WORRY Frequent fatigue is significantly more common among women (20%) than men (13%).
The data also shows that younger adults ages 18 to 34 reported the highest rates of frequent exhaustion at 19.5%, while adults 65 and older reported the lowest rate at 12.9%.
Fatigue also increases among lower-income households, residents in rural areas and those living in the South and Midwest.
About 50.9% of adults with frequent fatigue reported having difficulties in three or more functional areas, including mood, mobility and memory.
More than one-third of frequently fatigued adults said exhaustion limits their ability to work, while 29% reported cutting back on social activities.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER "Quality of sleep is very important for restoration of both the mental and physical body," Murray said.
"The fatigue that results from poor quality of sleep contributes to slower thought processing, decreased concentration, and a less productive and happy workforce." TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ Although the report doesn't identify specific causes, experts say workplace culture and constant digital connectivity may contribute to fatigue.
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