In the quiet moments of daily life—balancing work deadlines, family responsibilities, or simple errands—many Americans under 40 are finding their thoughts slipping away more often than before.
A comprehensive study published this week in the journal Neurology lays bare a stark reality: self-reported rates of cognitive disability have nearly doubled in this age group over the past decade. Led by researchers at Yale School of Medicine, the University of Utah Health, and Mass General Brigham, the analysis draws from over 4.5 million responses to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s annual Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey. What emerges is not just a statistical uptick but a potential harbinger of deeper societal strains on mental sharpness.
The findings, detailed in the September 25, 2025, issue of Neurology, underscore how challenges with concentrating, remembering, or making decisions—hallmarks of cognitive strain—have become more commonplace. Nationally, the prevalence climbed from 5.3 percent in 2013 to 7.4 percent in 2023, marking a 40 percent overall increase. This shift, first noticeable around 2016, points to evolving pressures that transcend age but hit the young hardest.
Key Findings: A Generational Shift in Brain Health
The study’s most striking revelation centers on younger adults. For those aged 18 to 39, rates of self-reported cognitive disability surged from 5.1 percent to 9.7 percent—a near doubling that researchers describe as the primary engine behind the national rise. In raw numbers, this translates to millions more individuals navigating life with persistent mental hurdles, from forgetting appointments to struggling with complex tasks.
Contrast this with older populations, where progress offers a glimmer of hope. Among adults 70 and above, rates dipped slightly from 7.3 percent to 6.6 percent over the same period. Advances in geriatric care, including better management of vascular risks and early interventions, may explain this stabilization or decline, according to study co-author Dr. Adam de Havenon, a neurologist at Yale School of Medicine.
To arrive at these figures, the team sifted through telephone survey data, posing a single, pointed question: “Because of a physical, mental, or emotional condition, do you have serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions?” Affirmative responses defined cognitive disability, a broad but telling metric that captures subjective experiences rather than clinical diagnoses. Notably, the analysis excluded 2020 data—disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic—and responses from those reporting depression to isolate underlying trends.
| Age Group | 2013 Rate | 2023 Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 40 | 5.1% | 9.7% | +90.2% |
| 70+ | 7.3% | 6.6% | -9.6% |
| Overall | 5.3% | 7.4% | +39.6% |
This table illustrates the divergent trajectories, highlighting how cognitive concerns are no longer confined to the twilight years.
Disparities Deepen: Income, Education, and Race in Focus
The data paints a picture of inequity, with structural barriers amplifying vulnerability. Low-income households bore the brunt: adults earning under $35,000 annually saw rates escalate from 8.8 percent to 12.6 percent. Higher earners, those above $75,000, experienced a more modest rise, from 1.8 percent to 3.9 percent—a widening gap of 1.4 percentage points that underscores economic divides in health outcomes.
Education tells a similar story. Individuals without a high school diploma reported jumps from 11.1 percent to 14.3 percent, while college graduates saw only a slight increase from 2.1 percent to 3.6 percent. These patterns align with broader public health trends, where access to quality education correlates with preventive care and stress management resources.
Racial and ethnic disparities further complicate the landscape:
- American Indian and Alaska Native adults: 7.5 percent to 11.2 percent (49 percent increase)
- Hispanic adults: 6.8 percent to 9.9 percent
- Black adults: 7.3 percent to 8.2 percent
- White adults: 4.5 percent to 6.3 percent
- Asian adults: 3.9 percent to 4.8 percent
As Dr. de Havenon noted in a Yale News statement, “These findings suggest we’re seeing the steepest increases… among people who already face structural disadvantages.” Limited healthcare access, environmental stressors, and historical inequities likely contribute, echoing CDC reports on how minority groups endure higher burdens from chronic diseases that impair cognition.
Chronic Conditions as Catalysts
Beyond demographics, the study links cognitive woes to physical health. Adults with hypertension were 30 percent more likely to report issues, while those with diabetes faced nearly 50 percent higher odds. Stroke survivors topped the list, with almost one in five citing significant difficulties in 2023. These connections are no surprise to experts; uncontrolled blood pressure and blood sugar can damage brain vessels over time, hastening decline.
The American Academy of Neurology, which highlighted the research in a press release, emphasizes that cognitive disability now rivals mobility issues as the second most common impairment in the US, affecting up to 14 percent of adults per 2022 BRFSS estimates. For many, these symptoms signal mild cognitive impairment, where 80 percent progress to dementia within six years—a sobering statistic from the Alzheimer’s Association.
Unraveling the Causes: From Pandemics to Perceptions
Why now? Researchers caution against quick fixes. Long COVID’s “brain fog” affects an estimated 17 million Americans, per CDC data, yet the study’s exclusion of 2020 responses rules out pandemic artifacts as the sole driver. Instead, co-author Ka-Ho Wong, a neuroimmunology research associate at the University of Utah Health, points to economic instability and reduced mental health stigma. “The 18-to-39-year-old population might think that it is simply OK to talk about this,” Wong said in a university release.
Other factors loom large: job insecurity, social media overload, and sleep deficits in a hyper-connected world. While self-reports aren’t clinical verdicts—subject to recall bias or heightened awareness—the trend demands scrutiny. As de Havenon put it, “The rise is real—and it’s especially pronounced in people under 40.”
A Call to Action: Safeguarding Tomorrow’s Minds
This surge isn’t mere numbers on a chart; it’s a clarion call for policy and personal vigilance. With cognitive health tied to workforce vitality and healthcare costs—potentially billions in lost productivity—the stakes are immense. Enhanced screening in primary care, equitable access to neurologists, and community programs targeting at-risk groups could stem the tide.
As America confronts these shadows on its collective intellect, the message is clear: addressing cognitive drift in the young today may prevent a dimmer future for all. The brain, after all, is the engine of innovation— and it’s flashing warning lights we can’t afford to ignore.