Where you live can significantly influence your sleep quality. A recent study by Innerbody indicates that sleep deprivation varies across different regions in the United States.
The research utilized data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and assessed sleep duration and quality across the 100 largest cities in the country. Experts found that around 90% of Americans don’t sleep soundly through the night.
To analyze this, the researchers looked into five factors for each city: physical activity, obesity rates, alcohol use, mental distress, and both noise and light pollution—elements that can all negatively impact sleep quality.
Based on their findings, here are the ten cities with the highest rates of sleep deprivation:
- Norfolk, Virginia
- New Orleans, Louisiana
- Detroit, Michigan
- Toledo, Ohio
- Cincinnati, Ohio
- Indianapolis, Indiana
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Laredo, Texas
- Cleveland, Ohio
- Memphis, Tennessee
Interestingly, many of these cities are situated in the eastern part of the U.S., with Ohio making several appearances on the list.
According to the data, Honolulu, Hawaii was noted as the city where adults suffer the most from inadequate sleep, with 42.3% reporting they get less than seven hours a night, followed closely by Norfolk, New Orleans, and Detroit.
For the cities with the poorest sleep quality, Memphis led the pack, followed by New Orleans, Norfolk, Cincinnati, and Corpus Christi in Texas.
The analysis also identified other cities experiencing sleep deprivation:
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Seattle, Washington
- San Jose, California
- Madison, Wisconsin
- Boise, Idaho
- St. Paul, Minnesota
- Denver, Colorado
- Lincoln, Nebraska
- Oakland, California
- San Francisco, California
The cooler climates in some of these cities might contribute to improved sleep quality, according to researchers.
Dr. Wendy Troxel, a behavioral expert at Land Corporation in Utah and a licensed psychologist, explained in an interview that location can indeed affect sleep. She stated, “It’s often said that your zip code can affect your health as much as your genetic code,” underscoring the proverb’s relevance to sleep health.
Moreover, a recent study by Troxel published in the Journal of Sleep Health argues for a more comprehensive strategy to enhance sleep quality, one that goes beyond focusing solely on individuals. This could mean investing in neighborhood improvements to bolster both sleep and overall health outcomes.
Troxel noted that given the strong connections between sleep issues and chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and stroke, improving neighborhood conditions can lead to significant benefits for public health.
