Young women report alarming levels of attention and memory concerns, new national study finds

Australia’s leading annual women’s health survey has revealed a striking surge in worries about attention and memory among young women, with new data showing they are reporting brain health concerns at significantly higher rates than older women.

The 2025 National Women’s Health Survey, conducted by Jean Hailes for Women’s Health, found 6 in 10 women aged 18 to 24 are concerned about their attention span, compared with just 2 in 10 women aged 65 and over.

Concerns about memory followed the same pattern, with 4 in 10 young women reporting worries about their short-term memory: double the rate of older women.

Jean Hailes for Women’s Health CEO Dr Sarah White said the results highlight a generational shift in how women experience and think about their brain health.

“Today’s young women have grown up immersed in constant stimulation, digital noise and the pressure to be always ‘on’,” Dr White said.

“These findings show that this environment is taking a real toll, and young women know it. Their concerns about concentration and memory should be a wake‑up call for all of us.”

Smiling Mind CEO Sarah La Roche said the data reflects what her organisation sees among young people more broadly.

“Children and young people today are growing up with unprecedented levels of distraction, stimulation and stress,” Ms La Roche said.

“The good news is, we can build mental fitness skills to support focus, navigate challenges and thrive for life. It’s never too late, or too early, to build these skills.”

Dr Marita Long, Head of the Jean Hailes Women’s Brain Care Clinic, said the findings challenge traditional assumptions about who struggles with cognitive health.

“Brain health is not just an issue for menopausal women or those concerned about dementia later in life,” Dr Long said. “This new data makes clear that we need to talk about attention, memory and mental load across the entire lifespan, and provide practical tools for women at every stage of life.”

Australian women’s concerns about their brain health – report

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