Warning of the risk of 'cognitive disability' among young Americans

DNVN - A 10-year study by Yale University School of Medicine, University of Utah Health and Massachusetts Brigham General Hospital recently sounded the alarm about the staggering increase in self-reported cognitive disabilities among adults in the US.

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Researchers from Yale School of Medicine, University of Utah Health, and Massachusetts General Hospital Brigham and Women's Hospital analyzed more than 4.5 million survey responses from 2013 to 2023, based on data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).

According to the study, the percentage of adults overall reporting cognitive disability (the CDC defines “cognitive disability” as having severe difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions due to a physical, mental, or emotional condition) increased from 5.3% in 2013 to 7.4% in 2023. However, the biggest increase was among young adults under 40, where the percentage reporting severe problems with memory, concentration, or decision-making nearly doubled, from 5.1% to 9.7%.

In contrast, the researchers found that the rate in people aged 70 and over even decreased, from 7.3% to 6.6%.

Cognitive health inequalities

Research also shows that cognitive problems do not affect the community equally. Findings show that cognitive disabilities are closely correlated with economic and social factors.

In terms of income : Those with household incomes under $35,000 consistently reported the highest rates, rising from 8.8% to 12.6%. In contrast, those with incomes over $75,000 had much lower rates, rising only from 1.8% to 3.9%.

Education : The proportion of adults without a high school diploma increased from 11.1% to 14.3%, while the proportion with a college degree increased from 2.1% to 3.6%.

By Race/Ethnicity: Adults who self-identify as Native American, Alaska Native, and Hispanic have the highest rates of cognitive disability, and Asian adults have the lowest rates.

Dr de Havenon commented that the findings suggest “we are seeing the sharpest increase in memory and thinking problems in people who are already structurally disadvantaged”.

Despite certain limitations, such as the data being based on subjective reports and the collection being conducted via telephone surveys, the researchers still emphasize the importance of this trend.

De Havenon said the increase may reflect real changes in brain health. He called for further investigation to understand the reasons for this significant increase in young people, given the potential long-term implications for population health, productivity and the health care system.

Hien Thao (According to Newsweek, News.yale.edu)

Source: https://doanhnghiepvn.vn/cong-nghe/bao-dong-nguy-co-khuet-tat-nhan-thuc-trong-gioi-tre-my/20250929112903806