Cognitive difficulties rise in young adults

A study published in the journal Neurology found that self-reported cognitive difficulties have nearly doubled among individuals aged 18 to 39 over the past decade. The research, led by Ka-Ho Wong, analyzed data from an American public health survey and showed that the proportion of young adults reporting cognitive impairment increased from 5.1% in 2013 to 9.7% in 2023.

Cognitive issues decline in older adults

The study also found a slight decrease in self-reported cognitive difficulties among individuals aged 70 and older. The proportion of this group reporting such issues dropped from 7.3% in 2013 to 6.6% in 2023, according to the analysis.

CDC reports broader increase

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the proportion of American adults overall who experience memory, concentration, or decision-making difficulties increased from 5.3% to 7.4% between 2013 and 2023. These figures are based on the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), a large-scale telephone survey.

Self-reported data has limitations

It is important to note that the reported difficulties are self-reported by participants and do not necessarily indicate a medical diagnosis of a cognitive disorder. This means the data should be interpreted with caution, as it reflects subjective experiences rather than clinical assessments.