Scientists say the situation should be followed more closely as the "disproportionate growth" could have long-term implications.
Discussing cognitive disability oftentimes happens within conversations related to aging or regarding illnesses such as dementia. But a new Yale University study from a team of brain health experts shows that cognitive impairments with memory or concentration might begin much earlier than we previously thought.
The October 2025 study, published in the peer-reviewed medical journal Neurology, found that rates of self-reported cognitive disability are rising overall, but the spike is being largely driven by a nearly doubled increase in rates among young people ages 18 to 39.
The study examined data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, which is an annual phone survey of U.S. adults. The survey asked participants how often they have “serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.” Researchers then analyzed results over the course of 10 years, from 2013 to 2023, excluding 2020 due to pandemic-related restrictions on survey participation.
“What stood out was the surprising rise among young adults,” said study author Adam de Havenon, MD, MSCI, an associate professor of neurology term at the Yale School of Medicine, in a news release.
The study found that the rates of self-reported cognitive disability overall rose from 5.3% in 2013 to 7.4% in 2023, but for adults aged 18 to 39, the rates nearly doubled in the same time frame. In 2013, the younger age group self-reported cognitive disability at a rate of 5.1%. In 2023, it rose to 9.7%.
The study authors note that the research does raise some concerns, but that people shouldn’t be worried that there will be a rapid increase in rates of dementia cases.
“This isn’t a diagnosis of dementia or even of cognitive impairment,” explains Dr. de Havenon. “It’s a subjective report of people saying they’re having serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.”
There were some limitations to the study. The researchers eliminated responses from people who self-reported depression, dementia, or other cognitive disabilities, and the study authors noted that “self-reported data is still based on subjective perception.”
Researchers also found that cognitive problems affected different communities “unevenly.” For instance, those who identified as American Indian, Alaska Native, and Hispanic reported higher rates of cognitive disability, while those who identified as Asian reported the lowest. Additionally, lower income and educational rates also self-reported at higher cognitive disability rates as well as those living in the South and Midwest, and those with chronic illnesses such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
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