Memory Problems Are Surging in Young Adults, New Study Warns
A recent study has revealed a concerning trend: memory problems are on the rise among adults under 40 in the United States. The research, led by University of Utah neurology researcher Ka-Ho Wong, analyzed survey data from over 4.5 million people and found a significant increase in cognitive disability among younger adults.
Between 2013 and 2023, the proportion of US adults reporting serious cognitive difficulties rose from 5.3% to 7.4%. However, for those under 40, the rate nearly doubled, jumping from 5.1% to 9.7% during the same period. It's important to note that people who reported depression were excluded from these figures.
The study also found that self-reported cognitive disability rose across most age groups, but an upward trend was not observed in senior citizens. In fact, rates in those aged 70 and older actually declined slightly, from 7.3% in 2013 to 6.6% in 2023.
'Challenges with memory and thinking have emerged as a leading health issue reported by US adults,' says vascular neurologist Adam de Havenon from Yale University. 'Our study shows that these difficulties may be becoming more widespread, especially among younger adults, and that social and structural factors likely play a key role.'
The factors de Havenon refers to include socioeconomic status. Groups with annual incomes under US$35,000 and those with lower educational attainment saw increases in cognitive disability that were larger than the general trend. American Indian and Alaska Native adults reported the highest rates of cognitive disability, despite a rise in reported prevalence across all racial and ethnic groups.
As of 2022, cognitive disability affects 13.9% of adults in the US, according to annual surveys by the CDC – making it the most commonly reported disability in those surveys. While the new study doesn't pinpoint specific causes, there's growing evidence that our minds aren't in great shape.
'We need to better understand and address the underlying social and economic factors that may be driving this trend,' says de Havenon. 'More research is also needed to understand what's driving the large increase in rates among younger adults, given the potential long-term implications for health, workforce productivity and health care systems.'
The research has been published in Neurology.
