A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights the widespread impact of Fatigue Affects among American adults. The National Center for Health Statistics found that 71.5% of U.S. adults experienced fatigue on multiple days during the three months before being surveyed. The findings are based on a 2024 survey of about 27,000 adults aged 18 and older. Women and younger adults were more likely to report frequent fatigue than men and older adults.
The report found that fatigue can interfere significantly with everyday life. Around 36% of adults experiencing fatigue said it affected their ability to work, while 29% said they reduced their social activities because of exhaustion.
Younger Adults Report Higher Fatigue Affects
Participants were asked how often they felt very tired or exhausted, as well as the duration and severity of those feelings. About 54.9% said they experienced fatigue on some days, while 10.7% experienced it on most days and 5.9% reported feeling fatigued every day.
Frequent fatigue was reported more often among women and declined with age. About 19.5% of adults between 18 and 34 experienced frequent fatigue, compared with 12.9% of those aged 65 and older. Fatigue was also more common among people with lower household incomes and among adults living in the South, Midwest and less urbanized areas.
Exhaustion Can Affect More Than Energy
The report suggests frequent fatigue is rarely an isolated problem. About half of adults experiencing it reported difficulties in at least three areas, including concentration, mobility and mood. Anxiety, depression and cognitive problems were also commonly reported.
Experts say workplace practices can make the problem worse, particularly for people in knowledge-based jobs.
Constant Messages May Increase Workplace Fatigue
Georgetown University computer science professor Cal Newport said frequent switching between emails, instant messages and other communication can create cognitive exhaustion. Constant interruptions force workers to repeatedly shift their attention, making it harder for the brain to maintain focus. Newport recommended reducing unscheduled messages and avoiding attempts to handle too many projects simultaneously. Working through priorities sequentially, he said, may help reduce the mental burden.
Sleep Also Plays a Key Role
Aric A. Prather, a professor and director of the UCSF Center for Health and Community, said sleep is closely linked to workplace performance. Insufficient sleep can affect concentration, memory, emotional regulation and social interactions.
He noted that fatigue is therefore more than a physical sensation. When people are exhausted, their ability to think clearly and function effectively can also suffer. The findings underline the importance of addressing both workplace demands and sleep habits when tackling widespread fatigue.
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