Sleep Poll Shows Differences among Ethnic Groups

WASHINGTON — The “2010 Sleep in America” poll released
earlier this month by the National Sleep Foundation reveals
significant differences in the sleep habits of Asians,
Blacks/African-Americans, Hispanics and Whites. The NSF said the
poll is the first to examine sleep among these ethnic groups.

According to the poll, Blacks/African-Americans have the busiest
bedtimes; Asians get the best sleep; Hispanics are the most likely
be kept awake by financial and personal concerns; and Whites are
the most likely to sleep with their pets — and/or their
spouse or significant other.

The poll, which surveyed 1,007 Americans between the ages of 25
to 60, also found most people say they only get a good night’s
sleep a few nights a week or less. Blacks/African-Americans get the
least amount of sleep but also say they need less sleep to function
at their best.

More than three-fourths of respondents from each group believe
poor sleep is associated with health problems (76-83%), and some in
all groups report missing work or family functions because they
were too sleepy (19-24%).

About a quarter of all respondents (26% Hispanics, 25%
Blacks/African-Americans, 23% Asians and 22% Whites) say that their
current work schedule does not allow them to get enough sleep.

Bedtime Routines

Blacks/African-Americans are the most likely to report
activities in the hour before going to bed every night or almost
every night, specifically watching TV (75%) and/or praying or doing
another religious practice (71%).

Good Night’s Sleep

Asians are the most likely ethnic group (84%) to say that they
had a good night’s sleep at least a few nights or more a week. In
addition, Asians are about half as likely (14%) to discuss their
sleep issues with a health care professional, and are half as
likely (10%) to report having been diagnosed with a sleep disorder.
Asians are the least likely to report using sleep medication at
least a few nights a week (5% versus 13% Whites, 9%
Blacks/African-Americans and 8% Hispanics).

Awake Worrying

Overall, at least one-third of Hispanics (38%) and
Blacks/African-Americans (33%) report that financial, employment,
personal relationship and/or health-related concerns disturb their
sleep at least a few nights a week, compared to about one-fourth of
Whites (28%) and/or Asians (25%). Moreover, about two in ten
Hispanics (19%) and Blacks/African-Americans (19%) say their sleep
is disturbed every night or almost every night by at least one of
these concerns.

Sleep Partners

Among those married or partnered, Whites are much more likely
(14%) than the other ethnic groups (2% each) to say they usually
sleep with a pet. In addition, 90% of Whites report that they sleep
with their significant other compared to 84% of
Blacks/African-Americans, 76% of Hispanics and 67% of Asians.

Among married people or couples living together, all ethnic
groups report being too tired for sex frequently (21-26% of the
time).

View full results of the poll on NSF’s Web site.