A new national survey released today finds that Americans' knowledge about sleep is strikingly lacking, with only 14 percent passing a Sleep IQ test. Many Americans hold on to dangerous myths, falsely believing that people need less sleep as they age, that raising the volume on the radio helps people stay awake while driving, and that the human body can adjust to night shift work. The nationally representative survey was conducted in late 1997 and early 1998 through telephone interviews with 1,027 Americans.
People have no idea how important sleep is to their lives.
Most of us need eight hours of sound sleep to function at our best, and good health demands good sleep. Conversely, lack of sleep and sleep problems have serious, often life-threatening consequences. Based on a host of indicators, Americans are woefully ignorant about sleep. The older you get, the fewer hours of sleep you need. This myth is believed by 42 percent of American adults.