American adults ages 18-39 double occurrences of 'cognitive disability' in last ten years: study

An increasing number of American adults have reported a "cognitive disability" in the past decade, with more and more US adults having trouble with concentration, memory, and the process of decision making. The trend appears to be far worse among younger adults aged 18 to 39.

Nearly one in 10 US adults between the ages of 18 and 39 (9.7 percent) self-reported having a cognitive disability in 2023, according to researchers from Neurology. That is nearly double the rate that was reported in 2012, at around five percent of those 18 to 39.

A "cognitive disability" is defined as "serious difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions because of a physical, mental or emotional condition," per the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

The results vary by age group. However, over the last 10 years, the percent of US adults who have reported a cognitive condition has not varied that much. Adults between the ages of 40 and 54 reported 6 percent rate in 2023, and 4.5 percent in 2013.

Those between 55 and 69 reported a rate of 6 percent in 2023 and 5.1 in 2013. For those above the age of 70, however, the percent of those reporting a cognitive disability actually went down from 7.3 percent in 2013 to 6.6 percent in 2023.

The report stated, "Cognitive disability prevalence was significantly higher among individuals with chronic health conditions. Adults with a history of stroke reported the highest prevalence throughout the study period, reaching 18.2% (95% CI 16.5%–19.9%) in 2023. Hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia were also associated with elevated prevalence."

The researchers concluded that the “disproportionate growth in cognitive disability among younger adults seems to be the primary driver of the overall national trend,” and said that the findings “warrant further investigation” because of long-term implications that could take place.