In this week’s column by UTMB’s Dr. Victor S. Sierpina: Though sleep experts recommend seven to nine hours of sleep nightly, American adults average only 6.9. Acute sleep deprivation for just a few days can cause mental, behavioral, metabolic, autonomic problems, and even a decrease in immune function leading to increased risk of infection. Chronic “sleep debt” from sleep deprivation is associated with increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, overall mortality and even car accidents.