The Rising Tide of Cognitive Difficulties Among Young Americans
In an alarming trend revealed by recent research, more American adults than ever before are reporting serious difficulties with concentration, memory, and decision-making. According to a study published in the journal Neurology on September 24, 2023, the percentage of adults without depression who self-reported cognitive disabilities rose from just over 5 percent in 2013 to more than 7 percent a decade later. This increase is particularly pronounced among younger adults aged 18 to 39, where the prevalence has nearly doubled to almost 10 percent—meaning approximately one in ten young adults now experiences significant cognitive challenges.
The findings come from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey, a comprehensive annual telephone survey conducted by state health departments in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. With more than 4.5 million responses about brain health recorded during the study period, the data provides a substantial foundation for analysis, despite being based on self-reporting rather than clinical diagnoses. Researchers note that this uptick in cognitive difficulties began around 2016 and has continued to climb since then. Interestingly, while younger adults reported dramatically increasing cognitive problems, adults aged 70 and older actually showed a slight decrease in cognitive disability reports during the same time period.
The potential implications of this trend are concerning to public health experts. In older populations, self-reported cognitive issues often precede measurable cognitive decline—but researchers aren’t yet certain whether the same pattern holds true for younger adults. Ka-Ho Wong, a population health scientist at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City and co-author of the study, suggests that multiple factors might be contributing to this phenomenon. While increased awareness and reduced stigma around mental health issues may make today’s young adults more willing to acknowledge cognitive difficulties, Wong believes other factors are likely at play.
The researchers considered whether “brain fog” associated with long COVID might explain the trend, but concluded it was unlikely to be the primary cause given that the increase began in 2016, well before the pandemic. Instead, Wong points to broader societal factors that may be affecting young Americans’ cognitive function. Economic stress and job market uncertainty create persistent psychological pressure that can impair cognitive performance. Additionally, our increasing reliance on digital tools might be changing how our brains function—Wong notes that while his parents can still recall childhood phone numbers, many younger adults struggle to remember even their own cell phone numbers, having outsourced that cognitive function to their devices.
What makes this trend particularly noteworthy is the sharp contrast between age groups. While we might expect cognitive complaints to increase with age, the data shows precisely the opposite pattern. Young adults are reporting cognitive disabilities at increasingly higher rates, while older adults’ reports have remained relatively stable or even declined slightly. This unexpected reversal raises important questions about what aspects of modern life might be particularly challenging to younger generations’ cognitive health and what interventions might help address these challenges.
The implications of this research extend beyond academic interest into practical concerns for healthcare providers and public health officials. Wong emphasizes that medical professionals need to take young adults’ cognitive complaints seriously and develop appropriate responses. “If they report it, we need to address it,” he states. This may require new approaches to assessing and supporting cognitive health in younger populations—a group not traditionally considered at high risk for cognitive impairment. As our understanding of this phenomenon develops, it will be crucial to identify effective strategies to support brain health across the lifespan, with particular attention to the unique challenges facing today’s young adults in an increasingly complex and digitally mediated world.
