More than seven in 10 U.S. adults report feeling fatigued at some point over a three-month period, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics, based on the 2024 National Health Interview Survey of roughly 27,000 adults.
The CDC defines fatigue as physical or mental exhaustion that does not improve with rest — distinct from ordinary sleepiness. The survey found 71.5% of respondents reported feeling fatigued on at least some days, and 16.6% reported “frequent fatigue,” meaning exhaustion most days or every day.
Dr. Earnest Lee Murray, a board-certified neurologist at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital in Jackson, Tennessee, said the causes are varied but usually not exotic.
“Fatigue can be caused by numerous issues,” Murray told Fox News Digital. While hormonal, cardiac or neurological conditions can contribute, he said “a vast majority of fatigue people experience is probably related to poor sleep quality as well as psychosocial stress, which a lot of times go hand-in-hand.”
The data reveal notable disparities. Frequent fatigue is reported by 20% of women, compared with 13% of men. Younger adults ages 18 to 34 report the highest rates of frequent exhaustion, at 19.5%, while adults 65 and older report the lowest, at 12.9%.
The survey also found fatigue rises among lower-income households, rural residents, and people living in the South and Midwest — regions that include Tennessee, where Murray practices.
The toll goes beyond feeling tired. About 50.9% of adults with frequent fatigue reported difficulties in three or more areas of daily functioning, including mood, mobility and memory. More than a third said fatigue limits their ability to work, and 29% said they’ve cut back on social activities as a result.
“Quality of sleep is very important for restoration of both the mental and physical body,” Murray said. “The fatigue that results from poor quality of sleep contributes to slower thought processing, decreased concentration, and a less productive and happy workforce.”
The CDC report does not identify specific causes of the trend, but Murray pointed to workplace culture and constant digital connectivity as likely contributors.
“The advancements of instant communication technologies certainly have benefits; however, we are not able to disconnect from our work life any longer,” Murray said. “There are now expectation issues from work that can be dealt with quickly over our phone, even late at night. Also, social media and constant scrolling have certainly contributed to a reduced quality of sleep.”
Researchers have found that frequently switching between emails, chat messages and other tasks forces the brain to repeatedly refocus, which can leave people mentally drained even without heavy physical exertion.
Murray recommended setting boundaries around technology use and seeking medical evaluation when fatigue becomes persistent. “It is important to disconnect from work and our electronic devices in the hours leading up to sleep,” he said. “Also, if fatigue is becoming a problem, it is important to seek medical attention to ensure there’s no underlying medical reason contributing to the fatigue.”
