Khaberni - Over the last decade, young people and disadvantaged and marginalized groups have seen a noticeable increase in memory and cognition problems, raising experts' concerns that the continuation of this phenomenon could lead to exacerbated social and health crises.
Increasing difficulties in memory
In the United States, memory and thinking problems among adults rose from 5.3% to 7.4% over the past decade, with a greater increase among young people and those with lower incomes and education levels. Native Americans and Alaska Natives recorded the highest rates, and researchers urge more in-depth studies to understand the social and economic causes behind this increase.
A recent study published in "Science Daily" showed that an increasing number of American adults, especially those under the age of forty, are facing difficulties with memory, focus, and decision-making.
The researcher of the study, Adam De Havenon, a doctor and fellow at the American Academy of Neurology from Yale University, said "Memory and thinking problems are among the most prominent health issues among adults in the United States. Our study shows that these difficulties are increasing, especially among young people, and that social and economic factors play a significant role" in this.
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The impact of income and education on brain health
The gaps in income and education clearly affect brain health. Individuals earning less than $35,000 annually are more susceptible to memory and concentration problems, with their rates increasing from 8.8% to 12.6% over ten years. Meanwhile, those with incomes over $75,000 saw an increase in problems from 1.8% to 3.9%.
When it comes to education, there's a similar gap, with rates of memory and concentration problems among adults who did not complete high school rising from 11.1% to 14.3%.
According to the study published in Neurology, the study shows that self-reported cognitive disability in the United States is continuously increasing, with clear disparities based on age, race, income, education, and geographical area. Although cognitive disability may not necessarily reflect objective cognitive impairment or clinical diagnoses like dementia, its increasing prevalence reflects significant trends in public health.
The findings indicate that the most affected groups include young people, racial minorities, and socially and economically disadvantaged groups, highlighting the urgent need for targeted interventions, improved access to healthcare, and addressing social determinants of health such as education, income, and structural discrimination.
