Across the United States, young adults are struggling to remember simple things, stay focused, and make quick decisions. What used to be a concern for older adults is now spreading through the younger generation. A new study published in Neurology in 2025 shows that memory and attention problems among Americans aged 18 to 39 have almost doubled in just ten years.
The researchers analyzed more than 4.5 million responses from national health surveys between 2013 and 2023. They discovered a sharp increase in people reporting “serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.” Surprisingly, this rise was not seen in older adults. It was the youngest generation driving the numbers up.
This shift has left scientists asking one major question: What’s happening to the attention span of young America?
“Challenges with memory and thinking have emerged as a leading health issue reported by U.S. adults. 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.”
— Adam de Havenon, Yale School of Medicine (Lead Author, Neurology, 2025)
Fast Facts
- Study Period: 2013 to 2023, analyzing 4.5 million U.S. adults
- Key Finding: Memory and focus issues among young adults nearly doubled over the decade
- Highest Risk Group: Adults aged 18–39, especially those with lower income and education levels
- Possible Causes: Stress, long COVID, screen overuse, and poor sleep habits
- Lead Author: Adam de Havenon, Yale School of Medicine
What the Scientists Actually Found
The study looked at data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. It asked adults if they struggled with memory, concentration, or decision-making due to a physical, mental, or emotional condition. Those who said “yes” were marked as having a cognitive disability.
In 2013, around 5.3 percent of U.S. adults reported this problem. By 2023, it had risen to 7.4 percent. The jump was even bigger among young adults aged 18 to 39, where the rate climbed from 5.1 percent to 9.7 percent. That means nearly one in ten young Americans now says they often feel mentally foggy or forgetful.
The researchers excluded people with depression from the analysis to focus on non-psychiatric causes of memory and attention problems. Their goal was to separate emotional struggles from what might be happening in the brain itself.
Why the Surge in Focus Problems Is a Public-Health Red Flag
This finding matters because it changes how we think about aging and brain health. For decades, memory problems were seen as something that came with getting older. Now they are becoming common in people in their 20s and 30s.
If young adults are already showing signs of mental slowdown, the long-term effects could be serious. More people could face reduced productivity at work, lower academic performance, and even higher risks of chronic disease. The authors warn that these early signs of cognitive decline may create new challenges for healthcare systems, schools, and employers.
“These findings suggest we’re seeing the steepest increases in memory and thinking problems among people who already face structural disadvantages.”
— Adam de Havenon, Yale School of Medicine
The study also found that this trend began around 2016 and has continued to climb ever since. Some experts believe the rise may be linked to the growing stress of modern life. Others point to long-term effects from COVID-19, as well as the nonstop use of screens and digital devices that demand constant attention.
Which Groups Show the Sharpest Rise in Memory and Focus Issues
Not all groups are affected equally. The study found that certain populations face far greater risks than others.
- Age: The largest increase appeared in young adults aged 18 to 39. Older adults above 70 even showed a slight improvement.
- Race and ethnicity: American Indian and Alaska Native adults had the highest rates at over 11 percent. Black and Hispanic adults also reported higher rates than white adults, while Asian adults had the lowest numbers.
- Income and education: Adults earning less than $35,000 a year or with no high school diploma had the highest levels of cognitive problems. Those with college degrees reported the fewest.
- Region: People in the South and Midwest reported more difficulties than those in the Northeast and West.
These gaps show that memory and attention problems are not just biological. They are tied to social and economic realities that shape how people live and work.
What’s Behind the Decline in Attention and Memory
Scientists are cautious about naming a single cause, but several patterns are emerging.
1. Lingering post-pandemic effects: Many people who had COVID-19 continue to report brain fog, even years later. Long COVID may still be affecting how younger adults feel and think.
2. Chronic stress: Rising financial pressure, job instability, and social isolation can weaken mental focus over time. Young workers are under more stress than ever before.
3. Screen overload: Smartphones, social media, and constant notifications train the brain to switch tasks rapidly. This constant mental multitasking may reduce the ability to hold attention for long periods.
4. Poor sleep and lifestyle habits: Late nights, caffeine overuse, and lack of exercise all harm cognitive performance. These patterns are common in younger generations who live fast-paced, digitally connected lives.
5. Chronic diseases showing up earlier: Conditions like diabetes and hypertension are appearing in people under 40, and both are known to affect brain health.
Researchers also note that part of the rise could come from better awareness. Younger people may be more willing to admit they struggle with focus and memory compared to older generations.
“It could reflect actual changes in brain health, better awareness and willingness to report problems, or other health and social factors. But regardless of possible causes, the rise is real, and it’s especially pronounced in people under 40.”
— Adam de Havenon, Yale School of Medicine
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Read the Full StoryHow to Protect Your Brain From Modern-Life Memory Loss
The good news is that small daily habits can help protect and even improve mental clarity. Experts suggest focusing on practical, proven steps rather than complex solutions.
- Exercise regularly: Physical activity increases blood flow to the brain and supports memory.
- Get enough sleep: Aim for 7 to 8 hours a night to allow the brain to repair and store information.
- Limit screen time: Schedule regular breaks from digital devices and avoid scrolling before bed.
- Eat for brain health: Diets rich in fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fats help preserve cognitive function.
- Manage stress: Deep breathing, meditation, or even short walks can reduce daily tension.
- Control chronic conditions: Keeping blood pressure, sugar, and cholesterol in check supports long-term brain health.
These steps are simple but powerful. As neurologists explain, lifestyle changes made in young adulthood can delay cognitive aging later in life.
What America’s “Brain Fog” Trend Tells Us About Modern Life
This growing problem reveals something larger about how society is changing. Young adults today live in a constant rush of information, screens, and pressure to perform. Every beep, buzz, and message demands attention. Over time, that constant demand may be reshaping how the brain handles focus and memory.
The study’s authors see this as both a warning and an opportunity. By tracking these early signs now, the U.S. can design better public-health programs, invest in mental well-being, and teach people how to care for their brains before problems grow worse.
If the trends continue, focus loss could become one of the biggest silent threats to the workforce, schools, and even national productivity. But if individuals and communities take action, it could also become a turning point in how we value mental health.
The Wake-Up Call for a Distracted Generation
The message from scientists is clear. Cognitive problems are no longer just part of aging. They are becoming a normal experience for young adults trying to keep up with modern life.
The researchers behind this 2025 study call it a public health alarm. Losing focus is not simply a personal challenge. It is a signal that something deeper is happening in how people live, work, and think.
If America wants a sharper, more focused generation, it needs to protect brain health with the same urgency it gives to physical fitness. The brain is not just another muscle to train; it is the core of how we learn, create, and connect.
For now, one thing is certain: the ability to stay focused may be one of the most valuable skills of the future.
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Read the Full StoryFrequently Asked Questions
According to the 2025 study published in Neurology, the rise is linked to several factors such as increased stress, post-pandemic health issues, poor sleep, and heavy screen use. The lead author, Dr. Adam de Havenon from Yale School of Medicine, noted that these problems are becoming more widespread among younger adults, especially those facing social and economic challenges.
Most cases are not permanent. Scientists believe that lifestyle improvements, like getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and reducing digital distractions, can help restore focus and memory performance. Early attention to mental health, stress management, and chronic disease prevention can also slow or reverse cognitive decline over time.
Experts recommend simple, science-backed habits: regular physical activity, balanced diet, 7–8 hours of sleep, and limiting screen exposure. Keeping stress under control and maintaining healthy blood pressure, sugar, and cholesterol levels can also help preserve brain function well into adulthood.
Source: Adam de Havenon et al., “Rising Cognitive Disability as a Public Health Concern Among U.S. Adults,” Neurology, 2025.