A recent survey conducted by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine reveals that 45% of adults have not engaged in discussions about sleep with their health care providers. This gap is especially pronounced among women, with 49% reporting they have never talked about sleep, compared to 40% of men. Consequently, only 9% of women have consulted a sleep specialist, significantly lower than the 21% of men who have done so.

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Dr. Indira Gurubhagavatula, a spokesperson for the AASM, emphasized the critical link between sleep and overall health. She noted that inadequate sleep is associated with various serious health issues, including cardiovascular disease, depression, and cognitive decline, which can lead to significant risks like driving accidents and workplace errors. "Discussing sleep habits with a health professional is important for both long-term wellbeing and quality of life," she stated.

The AASM advises adults to aim for at least seven hours of sleep each night. However, many are not meeting this guideline, with nearly a third of American adults reporting insufficient sleep on a regular basis. Dr. Gurubhagavatula pointed out that sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnea are often underdiagnosed due to a lack of conversations between patients and health care providers. She encourages both clinicians and patients to prioritize discussions about sleep in future appointments.

For patients preparing for their next health care visit, the AASM suggests considering several key questions: Do you consistently get seven or more hours of sleep? Do you wake up feeling refreshed? Have you experienced any trouble falling or staying asleep? Do you feel excessively sleepy during the day? Have you ever snored or woken up gasping for air? Asking these questions can facilitate better diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders.

The survey, which sampled 2,007 adults in the U.S., was conducted online by Atomik Research between June 5 and June 13, 2025, with a margin of error of +/- 2 percentage points.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine, founded in 1975, aims to advance sleep care and improve sleep health. With over 9,500 members, including physicians and scientists, the AASM also accredits approximately 2,300 sleep centers across the country that provide high-quality sleep care.