During 2017–2018, 8.2% of adults aged ≥18 years took medication to help fall or stay asleep four or more times in the past week (6.6% for men and 9.7% for women). Among men, the percentage who took medication for sleep four or more times in the past week increased with age from 3.8% among those aged 18–44 years to 10.7% among those aged ≥65 years. Among women, the percentage increased from 5.8% for those aged 18–44 years to 12.7% among those aged 45–64 years and 13.2% among those aged ≥65 years. Across all age groups, the percentage was higher among women than men.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics, National Health Interview Survey, 2017 and 2018. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis.htm.
Footnotes
With 95% confidence intervals indicated by error bars.
Based on a response of four or more to the survey question “In the past week, how many times did you take medication to help you fall asleep or stay asleep?”
Estimates are based on household interviews of a sample of the civilian, noninstitutionalized U.S. population and are derived from the National Health Interview Survey, Sample Adult component.