A significant number of adults in the United States are not obtaining the recommended amount of sleep, and certain racial and ethnic demographics are particularly affected, as indicated by a recent study. This research utilized data from numerous individuals wearing commercially available fitness trackers that monitored their sleep patterns. The findings are concerning because a lack of sufficient sleep has been increasingly linked to various health risks, including cardiovascular diseases, dementia, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and depression.

This study, which was presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions in Chicago, analyzed data from 13,204 participants who consented to share their sleep tracking information with the National Institutes of Health’s All of Us research initiative. The results remain preliminary and await publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Participants had an average age of 49 and reported sleeping roughly 6.4 hours each night. Alarmingly, only about one-third of those involved managed to achieve the 7 to 9 hours of sleep recommended by the AHA for adults. According to Adeep Kulkarni, a data analyst at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, approximately 65% of the cohort fell short of the recommended seven hours of sleep per night.

Among the participants, women and those aged between 18 and 44 were observed to get more sleep compared to other age groups and genders, yet they still averaged below the recommended duration. The study indicated that white participants, who comprised 81% of those involved, tended to get the most sleep with an average of 6.5 hours per night. In contrast, Black participants, representing around 5% of the study population, averaged about 5.7 hours, which is almost 50 minutes less. The 3% of participants who identified as Asian reported an average of 6.3 hours, while those in the “other” category, accounting for about 11%, had the same average. Hispanic participants, making up approximately 6% of the group, averaged 6.2 hours of sleep per night compared to 6.5 hours for their non-Hispanic counterparts.

The research linked data from fitness trackers with the participants’ electronic health records. It was found that individuals with conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and sleep apnea generally obtained slightly less sleep compared to those without these health issues. Dr. Souptik Barua, the study’s lead researcher and an assistant professor in precision medicine at NYU Grossman, emphasized that despite previous studies highlighting sleep disparities, this new approach offers unparalleled insights by harnessing a larger dataset. Barua noted that while wearable datasets have existed, the All of Us data represents a groundbreaking advance.

Typically, prior sleep studies relied on devices that monitored brain waves, regarded as the “gold standard.” Such methods can be cumbersome since they require sensors to be attached to a participant’s face and scalp and are most effective within sleep labs. However, using fitness trackers enables researchers to capture sleep data in a more natural setting, which Barua stressed provides a more objective measurement as it is not based on self-reported information. The current study’s duration of over six months of tracking sleep data per individual is another factor that differentiates it from earlier studies that generally covered only a week to a few weeks.

Researchers, including Dr. Julio Fernandez-Mendoza, who is involved in sleep studies but was not part of this specific research, highlighted the significance of the study’s extensive participant base and the utilization of commercial trackers, noting it provides a unique perspective on sleep disparities between Black and white adults. While the study did not delve into the underlying reasons for these disparities, it is known that factors like socioeconomic status, racism, psychological stress, and irregular work hours can disrupt sleep.

Barua acknowledged certain limitations of the research, outlining that participants needed to own fitness trackers, resulting in a sample population that was likely younger, more active, and predominantly white/non-Hispanic. Thus, the findings might not fully represent the broader U.S. population. He also noted that even though much of the tracking data originated after 2013, some dated as far back as 2009, it signifies that sleep tracking technology has advanced during that time.

Looking ahead, Barua sees substantial potential for future investigations utilizing this data. The All of Us initiative is already working on providing trackers to underrepresented communities and developing better devices capable of not only tracking sleep duration but also assessing sleep quality. As such devices become more common, the volume of available research data is likely to increase, enhancing the effectiveness of health advice based on this evidence. While Barua’s primary focus is data rather than treatment, he urges individuals to pay attention to their sleep patterns, as few are meeting the required recommendations. Those using fitness trackers can leverage the information for discussions with their healthcare providers about their sleep habits.