71.5% of Americans Experience Fatigue, CDC Report Reveals

A report from the National Center for Health Statistics, an agency within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), found that 71.5% of U.S. adults experience fatigue at least a few times within a three-month period. This finding is based on reported data from the 2024 National Health Interview Survey, which collected responses from over 27,000 adult participants aged 18 and older. The survey did not include comparisons to previous years' data. The study defines fatigue as a distinct condition from mere sleepiness or tiredness, characterizing it as "physical or mental tiredness or exhaustion that does not improve with additional sleep or rest." Beyond the prevalence of fatigue, the study highlighted its significant impact on individuals' well-being. Those who regularly experience fatigue are more prone to suffering from depression, anxiety, and cognitive difficulties. Natalie A.E. Young, the lead author of the study, stated to NBC News that "it's not just that fatigue is common. It's that fatigue is common, and those with fatigue are facing limitations in their daily lives." The frequency of fatigue varied among participants, with over half reporting symptoms on "some days" within the three-month timeframe. A notable 10.7% of respondents indicated experiencing fatigue on "most days," while 5.9% reported experiencing it "every day." The report also identified demographic disparities in fatigue prevalence. Women were found to be more likely than men to experience frequent fatigue, defined as occurring most or every day. Approximately 20% of women reported symptoms of frequent fatigue, compared to 13% of men. Furthermore, the study indicated that the frequency of fatigue is influenced by regional and socioeconomic factors. Specifically, frequent fatigue tends to decrease as family income rises. Conversely, it tends to increase with lower levels of urbanization, leading to higher reported rates of fatigue in the South and Midwest regions of the United States. The National Center for Health Statistics is the principal health statistics agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, responsible for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating data on the health of the nation. The National Health Interview Survey is a continuous survey that collects data on the health of the U.S. population through personal household interviews. The 2024 survey's large sample size of over 27,000 adults provides a robust dataset for estimating national health trends.