Sleep Deprived Cities

Charlotte, North Carolina ranks number 43 in getting a good night's rest. Here's a few statistics about people and the sleep they get: 32.8% sleeps less than 7 hours per night, also 10.7% are in poor physical health, 11.5% have poor mental health, 19.7% have lack of physical therapy, 29.1% are in that obesity rate and their median income is  $61,350. Florida Atlantic University sleep study professor Christine Spadola says, “We really do not have enough research to say that sufficient sleep can cause better financial outcomes. However, we do know that adequate sleep can be associated with higher productivity, increased concentration, and better academic functioning — all of which can be associated with better financial outcomes.”

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults ages 18-60 should get at least 7 hours of sleep per night, but the CDC reports more than 35 percent of the U.S. population gets less than 7 hours. Sleeping less than the recommended amount is associated with a wide range of health problems, from heart disease and mood disorders to diabetes and obesity. Similarly, data from the CDC 500 Cities project shows a strong correlation between sleep and self-reported physical and mental health, as well as physical activity and weight, according to a Haven Life analysis. Not getting enough sleep is linked with many chronic diseases and conditions—such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and depression—that threaten our nation’s health.