---
title: Sexism Contributes to Memory Decline in Women
date: 2026-06-14T11:16:00-04:00
author: Jonese Austin
canonical_url: "https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/sexism-memory-decline-women"
section: Resources
---
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[Health & Sexuality Info](/health-info)# 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](https://alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/alz.14410).

> 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.

[Read the full article ](https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/sexism-risk-factor-memory-decline-among-women)

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

![A profile of an older Asian woman with a white brain drawn on her head and colors around it](data:image/png;base64,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) meeboonstudio/Adobe Stock

![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)Topics

- [ growing older](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/subject-area/growing-older)
- [ bodies growing older](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/themes/bodies-growing-older)
- [sexism](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/sexism)
- [aging](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/aging)
- [health disparities](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/health-disparities)
- [Black / African American](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/black-african-american)
- [racism](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/racism)

![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)### *Why You Can* **Trust Us** 

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[read more](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/why-you-can-trust-us)

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This fact sheet from the NCOA reports on women's experiences of aging and ageism in retirement, in health care, and as caregivers ourselves.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/get-the-facts-on-women-and-aging)

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## Women’s Mental Health: Insights, Strategies, and Support

Here are helpful strategies for taking care of our mental health in the face of society's sexism and bias against women.

![A woman who appears sad sits on a bed in pajamas](data:image/png;base64,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)

Here are helpful strategies for taking care of our mental health in the face of society's sexism and bias against women.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/womens-mental-health-insights-strategies-and-support)

[Stories & ConversationsRead

## Stories on Gender, Aging, and Care Work

These personal essays reflect on feminism, ageism, social inequalities, and care work. Essayists Joan Ditzion, Phyllis Mitzen, Connie Goldman, and Nancy Hooyman write about their personal journeys, and call for more feminist work on women and aging.

![An elderly mother and her older adult daughter pose for a picture together](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACAAAAAgCAIAAAD8GO2jAAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAExklEQVRIiYVWzc4jxxEjWTX6dhMjhzxOXiqHvLR9sIEYMfxJ00Xm0DPadXxIozFSYySyq4r1w3/98x+kqo7j+PI4vjweXx+PL4/j4+hH1SEVoAQzWWvOcz1fr+fz9fl8Pp/P1+v5Ol+zTmTIVPHo6q6ju7uqSmIDBHA///+6f02CAAmSBLjX/cn3uUOBDBkwIEAECbLxckHeYCD1XlVlF5BEYlT7XXFvFsUOChBQgAL9Lw3BYLPxvq+oUlV1OwkoISYhsUvVqi7VvgM7bJBGGRUoYcJs9G0IQ5AAsaFVVVXuPgKAKndwEVSxSnu/CQ6QYYUVyPvGQQIESQhe1ye2B1pxIyApaRwHIUDhIth+kkS0eRAgyyhDiRw68M3xjq3AkKVK4YBISS7b21JiG6FiaQeDJNpokoSMNsqgQ4cJnCh5h5mEqBZQJEOVKuMYbwJSkChRJDfB8CBByChH87bACBEACnjFABQVUDToVGLgdtAtA3EzbZ222QSGEjTY6LRhxkSYGNRGp6gEDCUofKMHm4MkqPsLAaIHtVNG4EQTjWHBQRwT0pUNhDZAtrdBAyEN3hZspMuU7dmbIFA2ASccw4SJOGGSbzoiFUpUKIPhe/+B4J30PSkSwCbgGEOYGGKYAsJrCztwogpUVCJDfU+QPxOsbHwInD9wZBthQ/vPl1K0Ew5SWNDNIYIIAVzPtwVkLq8VMHtfFlyO2mlxA5AQKLIoRSIVMbzevzNz+7WXs88iBxhkwBs9w9TmEBQEyJ3Y77DmViW2fnCrFtuCbwRYQIODDPfGECMosOEtwUBXggDfx5T3keB3dvSa2SpfZIUrbOh79DFEUGCAnX2MfBX4uy4yefud39iBnjUGQEqcaP6EPoREekv7KrXGFo4ZAnfN0o3NO9ZEz3nu5iNxqgYZYFGtLKOEFdAAEcZIwQq5m5TAAhJWEDEEdImSJAOg13mKAKXSJIMeapwxRli+kn673ckkkhVcCWexhIgSS0xY2lVly6Hn/AxIadyTmBzJzkoqWAFD7LKBVMLMVbDoDaoRSywpYpUSFpldUdl+foZkVdlGRrRqlDGWr9jGMKBENIdiyLncejc5teRSW1WClDAi0fP8jaTq8DEmXDU1E08wtyJtzEbf4ctddXbpL6lUU3VUpSspVCpMSLY/fyU1/WHYkqvdhx0nAzBIaOxR4OrU8LcKLbFK1eqj29W204krpSqS7d9/oh45fjBjtfth28l1fcCBsNs04mQMT2xmVyBW8+jqmcPt5MBu6qiEUvu3n1nwx98suT8yX+Jx4mAChM62A3E84zWeyQw8SiR08TjqMe0cQd55BpSS9n+gRvJr+i95/NVe2wIDsztNAMCGJ7OyzvFaPldmMdPE0Xyscg4gu6Nd7QxIpfNv5AMW8vgx6++ZlU2QEEhI7iEjy1njc3m91rzOrJOzmnk056OxR6PaU8U9UyCdX5AP4EC+IvOEJ0mCO7BAsBV1Oq/xa83rnPU8fb446wGvg8iIqWK3ujVdNbIIogHkiXwCC/ArmeSK0nsbWMGZvJzn5HPN65x5Lq3z5GRYdDePsx5rzbTHe5Hsa+x5Iga8NvI11t3j73bRBJOczmvyOV5rdK5gOnw01qrxXMjZPk6S/wKaiOi9ufO5YQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==)

These personal essays reflect on feminism, ageism, social inequalities, and care work. Essayists Joan Ditzion, Phyllis Mitzen, Connie Goldman, and Nancy Hooyman write about their personal journeys, and call for more feminist work on women and aging.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/stories-on-gender-aging-and-care-work)

[ResourcesRead

## To Survive on This Shore: The Experiences of Older Trans and Gender Nonconforming People

Photographs and interviews by Jess Dugan and Vanessa Fabbre portray the joyful and difficult lived experiences of older transgender adults in the U.S.

![A lighter-skinned Black woman sits on a red couch in red pants and a white tank top](data:image/png;base64,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)

Photographs and interviews by Jess Dugan and Vanessa Fabbre portray the joyful and difficult lived experiences of older transgender adults in the U.S.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/experiences-older-trans-gnc-people)

[Stories & ConversationsWatch

## Dealing with Doctors and My Heart Health

TC shares her experience with doctors in the days leading up to and after her diagnosis of congestive heart failure.

![Tannie](data:image/png;base64,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)

TC shares her experience with doctors in the days leading up to and after her diagnosis of congestive heart failure.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/your-story-heart-health1)