A Third of Americans Aren't Getting Enough Sleep

According to CDC, most US middle and high schoolers are starting school way too early in the morning. J.M. Guyon / AP

"As a nation we are not getting enough sleep," said Dr. Wayne Giles, director of CDC's Division of Population Health. "Lifestyle changes such as going to bed at the same time each night; rising at the same time each morning; and turning off or removing televisions, computers, mobile devices from the bedroom, can help people get the healthy sleep they need." "AS A NATION WE ARE NOT GETTING ENOUGH SLEEP."CDC experts looked at health surveys covering more than 400,000 Americans. They were asked how many hours of sleep they get each night, among other questions. On average, only 65 percent said they get seven hours or more of sleep a night, the team reported. "Sleeping less than seven hours per night is associated with increased risk for obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, stroke, frequent mental distress, and all-cause mortality," the team wrote in the CDC's weekly report.