Sexism Contributes to Memory Decline in Women

Structural sexism is a measurable factor in the development of Alzheimer's and other forms of memory decline in women.

A new study by researchers at Columbia University's Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons found that cognitive aging happened 9 years faster in women born in the most sexist U.S. states, compared to women born in the least sexist states. The researchers used political, cultural, and economic factors, as well as the state's particular maternal mortality ratio, to measure structural sexism longitudinally in each state. The decline in memory is greater for Black and Latinx women who experience the intersections of both structural sexism and structural racism. The evidence collected also indicates that lowering structural sexism may, in turn, reduce memory decline among women.

This study builds upon others that also found structural sexism is a factor in higher mortality rates and chronic health conditions.

The full published research study is available here.

Studies of why Alzheimer’s disease affects women more than men have largely focused on sex-linked biological differences, such as hormones and genes. The new study suggests that systemic sex and gender discrimination may be important and underappreciated risk factors.

SOURCE: Columbia University Irving Medical Center • AUTHOR: Dr. Justina Avila-Rieger and Dr. Jennifer Manly • LAST UPDATED: December 18, 2024