A decade-long surge in self-reported cognitive disability is disproportionately affecting racial and ethnic minority groups, according to a new national study. While younger adults overall saw a sharp rise in difficulty with memory, concentration, and decision-making, the impact has been especially severe for American Indian, Black, and Hispanic communities.
American Indian and Alaska Native adults reported the highest prevalence, climbing from 7.5% to 11.2%. Hispanic adults approached 10% by 2023, and Black adults also reported above-average rates. In contrast, Asian adults maintained the lowest and most stable levels, under 5%.
“These patterns underscore the powerful role of social determinants in shaping cognitive health,” the study notes. Poverty, limited education, and structural barriers to health care access are compounding risks in vulnerable populations. Adults without a high school diploma reported a staggering 14.3% prevalence, compared to just 3.6% among college graduates. Those earning less than \$35,000 annually faced nearly four times the prevalence of those earning over $75,000.
Chronic conditions such as stroke, diabetes, and hypertension were also strongly linked to cognitive disability, creating a vicious cycle of poor health and impaired cognition.
The researchers urge policymakers to prioritize equity in cognitive health initiatives. Programs like the CDC’s Healthy Brain Initiative for tribal communities offer promising models, but broader efforts are needed to address the systemic disparities driving this crisis.
See: “Younger Adults Driving Sharp Rise in Cognitive Disability” (September 29, 2025)
