Approximately 1 in 6 adults experienced frequent fatigue, defined as feeling very tired or exhausted most days or every day. Researchers defined fatigue as physical or mental tiredness or exhaustion that does not improve with additional sleep or rest. Natalie A.E. Young is the lead author of the report and a sociologist.

"Fatigue is one of the most frequently reported health concerns in primary care visits in the U.S." Young said. "People with fatigue are at higher risk of activity limitations and disability, including permanent work disability," Young said.

The report detailed associations between frequent fatigue and other health conditions. Adults who experienced frequent fatigue were more than three times as likely to have symptoms of depression compared to those who do not experience it. Adults who experienced frequent fatigue were about twice as likely to report cognitive difficulties or symptoms of anxiety compared to those who do not experience it.

Demographic breakdowns showed distinct variations in fatigue rates across age groups. The rate of frequent fatigue was highest among adults ages 18-34 at 19.5%. The rate of frequent fatigue was lowest among adults ages 65 and older at 12.9%. Gender differences were also evident, with 20% of women reporting frequent fatigue compared to 13% of men.

Racial and ethnic disparities appeared in the findings. American Indian and Alaska Native adults had the highest rate of frequent fatigue at 25.5%. Hispanic adults had a frequent fatigue rate of 12.9%. Asian adults had the lowest rate of frequent fatigue at 9.1%.

Geographic regions also displayed different levels of reported frequent fatigue. Adults living in the Northeast had a frequent fatigue rate of 14.5%.

The CDC survey did not examine the underlying causes of frequent fatigue. The CDC survey does not indicate whether fatigue levels are worse than in previous years. The survey included approximately 27,000 adults ages 18 and older in 2024.

Medical professionals offered perspectives on the prevalence and management of fatigue. Alana A. Lewis is a cardiologist at the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago. "Just living in this country, we all, at some point, feel fatigue," Lewis said.

Jennifer Caspari is a clinical psychologist licensed in Denver and Vancouver, British Columbia. She described the modern pressures contributing to widespread tiredness. "People are incredibly busy. They’re stressed. They’re feeling spread thin. They have a lot on their plates and only so many hours in the day. They’re trying to cram in so much," Caspari said.

"You’re not a robot. You only have so much energy." Caspari suggested specific approaches to recovery. "Active rest can feel more nourishing and it can have a more helpful impact on the fatigue over time rather than just sitting and scrolling," she said.

Why It Matters

The report shows the scale of fatigue as a public health concern, affecting a majority of U.S. adults. The association with depression, anxiety, and cognitive difficulties suggests potential impacts on workforce productivity and individual well-being. The variation across demographics indicates that certain populations may face greater challenges related to fatigue.

The release of the report coincides with federal actions addressing behavioral health. The Health and Human Services Department published notice titled Announcing the Intent To Award a Single-Source Supplement for Expanding Outreach and Professional Training To Engage Older Adults With Behavioral Health Conditions in Evidence-Based Health Promotion Programs on 2026-09-14. This notice follows the CDC findings by one day, indicating ongoing federal attention to health conditions affecting adults.

Timeline

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics released a report on general fatigue in the U.S. adult population on September 13, 2026. Health and Human Services Department published notice titled Announcing the Intent To Award a Single-Source Supplement for Expanding Outreach and Professional Training To Engage Older Adults With Behavioral Health Conditions in Evidence-Based Health Promotion Programs on 2026-09-14.

What's New

This notice represents additional reporting on federal initiatives related to health promotion and behavioral health conditions.