Rising cognitive disability as a public health concern among US adults

A 2025 Neurology study reveals a sharp rise in self-reported cognitive disability — defined as serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions — among U.S. adults from 2013 to 2023, using over 4.5 million responses from the CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), excluding 2020 and those with depression.

Age-adjusted prevalence increased from 5.3% to 7.4%, with significant gains starting in 2016. The biggest driver: adults aged 18–39, where rates nearly doubled from 5.1% to 9.7% — a 90% rise. In contrast, older adults (70+) saw a slight decline (7.3% to 6.6%).White young adults showed the most dramatic increase, from 4.4% to 9.6% — a 118% jump. American Indian/Alaska Native and Hispanic adults also rose significantly, while Asian adults remained stable at ~4%.Lower income, education, and unemployment were strongly linked to higher rates. Chronic conditions like stroke, diabetes, and sensory impairments were associated with elevated risk.The authors call this a growing public health concern, urging research into causes — including stress, digital overload, or post-COVID effects — and targeted interventions for vulnerable groups.

The study notes the trend aligns with rising social media saturation and technology's central role in young adults' lives, potentially contributing to cognitive strain via constant connectivity and information overload.

The trend, especially in cognitively prime young adults, signals potential long-term impacts on workforce productivity and healthcare systems.