The study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that more than a quarter of adults were getting six hours or less of sleep a night, which is considered unhealthy.
Sleep problems are widespread. From 50 million to 70 million people suffer from chronic sleep loss and sleep disorders, according to the CDC.
A federal study released in 2009 looked at sleep habits by state and found West Virginians were the most deprived. About one in five West Virginians reported going without a single night of adequate sleep in the previous month. The national average was one in 10.
Sleeplessness appears to go hand-in-hand with poor health. A 2008 CDC study said that people who didn't get enough sleep were more likely to be obese and physically inactive. It also found short sleepers were more likely to smoke and drink. Earlier studies tied sleep problems to other major illnesses, including cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
Source: Centers for Disease Control
