Context Report: Teen Sleep Statistics Citation Analysis

Nearly 80% of U.S. high school students do not sleep at least 8 hours per night, up from 69% in 2009. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Youth Risk Behavior Survey data summary & trends report: 2009–2021. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/pdf/YRBS_Data-Summary-Trends_Report2021_508.pdf)

Summary: The statistic is accurate—CDC data shows approximately 77-80% of high school students get insufficient sleep, representing a worsening trend from 69% in 2009. However, the citation is fundamentally flawed, pointing to a CDC report about risky behaviors (sexual activity, substance use, violence) that contains no sleep data whatsoever. The correct sleep statistics come from separate CDC publications focused specifically on dietary, physical activity, and sleep behaviors.

Core Context

• The claim that "Nearly 80% of U.S. high school students do not sleep at least 8 hours per night, up from 69% in 2009" is statistically accurate according to multiple CDC sources (Contemporary Pediatrics, CDC MMWR).
• However, the citation is fundamentally flawed - it references a CDC report about risky behaviors (sexual activity, substance use, violence, mental health) that contains no sleep data whatsoever (CDC YRBS 2011-2021 Report).
• The URL included to the report is wrong, however the correct URL leads to a document covering 2011-2021, not 2009-2021 as claimed, and focuses entirely on "risk behaviors" as indicated in its title (CDC YRBS 2011-2021 Report).
• Sleep data actually comes from separate CDC publications, particularly the "Dietary, Physical Activity, and Sleep Behaviors" reports and CDC FastStats on sleep (CDC Sleep FastStats).
• The 2009 baseline of 69% insufficient sleep (30.9% getting adequate sleep) is verified through CDC MMWR publications tracking this specific health indicator over time.

Sources Table