Race and sleep: 11 surprising facts
White men are the earliest risers — except on weekends (when black women beat them out of bed by 52 minutes)
Sleep is an increasingly precious commodity in today's America. Although doctors recommend a solid eight-hours, a new study by the National Sleep Foundation reports that one in three Americans sleep fewer than six hours a night. Intriguingly, when it comes to getting a good night's rest, some ethnic groups fare better than others. Here, a by-the-numbers breakdown of who's sleepless in America and why:
20
The percentage of the white population reporting sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnea
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10
Percentage of Asians who suffer from such issues
33
The percentage of African Americans and Hispanics who say they have trouble sleeping at least a few nights a week because of worries about money, health, or love
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10
The approximate percentage of whites, blacks, and Hispanics who admit to using sleeping pills at least a few nights a week. Roughly the same percentage of respondents in each racial segment say they sometimes drank beer or wine to help them nod off
16
The percentage of white respondents who sleep with their pets
8
The percentage of white parents who sleep with their young children
5:41
Average time that white males — the earliest work-day risers — get out of bed
6:32
Average time that black women — the earliest weekend risers — get out of bed on Saturday and Sunday
103 minutes
The amount of extra time the average white male sleeps on weekends (rising at 7:24 a.m.)
10:59
The average work-night bedtime for white women, the first demographic group to call it a night
11:54
The average work-night bedtime for Asian men, the last ones to turn in
Source: The National Sleep Foundation
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