Feeling tired? You're not alone, new CDC report says - USA Today

If you've been feeling exhausted all the time, you're not alone.

About 71.5% of adults in the U.S. say they experienced fatigue on multiple days over the past three months, a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics published Sept. 3, determined, with women and younger adults reporting more frequent fatigue than men.

"Fatigue is one of the most frequently reported health concerns in primary care," the report said, noting the condition is "generally defined as physical or mental tiredness or exhaustion that does not improve with additional sleep or rest."

While frequent symptoms of fatigue may indicate underlying health problems, "some fatigue symptoms may not be linked to a specific medical condition," according to the report.

Those experiencing fatigue "are at higher risk of activity limitations and disability, including permanent work disability," the report said. Despite it being "associated with both poorer health outcomes and a heightened risk of mortality," it remains "an underexplored topic."

"Fatigue is considered an aspect of functioning," the report said. "People who experience fatigue often also report difficulties in other domains of functioning such as difficulty concentrating, mobility limitations, and psychosocial problems."

Anxiety (69.6%), cognition difficulty (46.1%), and symptoms of depression (45.0%) were among the three most frequently co-occurring functioning difficulties reported by adults who experienced frequent fatigue, the report said. Additionally, those who suffered from frequent fatigue, were more than three times as likely to have symptoms of depression and about twice as likely to report cognition difficulty or symptoms of anxiety.

About 27,000 adults ages 18 and older participated in NCHS's study in 2024, sharing details about their health and daily lives. The CDC survey didn’t look at underlying causes of frequent fatigue, and it is not known if the condition has improved or worsened from previous years.

However, if you experience consistent fatigue, Mayo Clinic's fatigue specialist Dr. Chris Aakre advises visiting your doctor or health care team to "try to discover the root cause."

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@usatodayco.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.