Low Wages in Working Years Found to be Linked with Rapid Memory Decline Later in Life: New Study

Low wages have been linked with rapid memory decline later in life, according to a new study by researchers from the United States. The new research indicates at least persistent low-paying jobs, relative to the economy, are held accountable for the mental health condition that affects people.

Data from the study enrolled thousands of individuals spanning across several decades after the sharp deflationary recession in the US known as the Depression of 1920-1929. The data has also intervals to encapsulate an unbiased result with matters relating to the different working class from separate generations.

In recent years, low-wage jobs have been connected to various negative health outcomes like depressive symptoms, hypertension, and obesity, which are also considered as risk factors for cognitive aging. However, the study claims there has been no prior research examining the specific correlation between low wages during working years and later-life cognitive functioning.

Memory decline, also called memory loss, is only of the forms of dementia, a general term used to address the myriad of mental health conditions affecting brain function. Experts previously assert that while dementia is common amongst elderly people, it is not a normal part of aging.

Low Wages and Memory Decline

In a news release on Tuesday, August 2, the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health announced that its study discovered sustained low wages are associated with the occurrence of significantly faster memory decline.

The research provides new evidence that continuous exposure to low wages during peak earning years is related to the memory loss, according to Katrina Kezios, lead author and researcher at the New York City-based university.

Later-Life Cognitive Functioning

In the case of the US, the research team said the federal minimum wage has remained to at least $7.25 per house since 2009.

They added while economic growth has increased since then, the wage and salary growth for employees, especially those under low-wage jobs, have slowed down over time.

In spite of the economic growth, the minimum wage failed to kept up with the inflation, according to the university's news release.

The findings suggest social policies also enhance the financial well-being of low-wage earners, especially in their cognitive health, according to the study's senior author Adina Zeki Al Hazzouri, an assistant professor at the university and the Butler Columbia Aging Center.

Memory Loss

Medical evidence and scientific research determine that memory loss, including occasional forgetfulness or short-term memory loss, affects the lives of individuals at certain degree

Prior to the study, other factors have been associated to memory decline. According to WebMD, alcohol, tobacco, or drug consumption have acknowledged to cause memory loss.

In addition, the online medical news publisher said other causes include sleep deprivation, depression, stress, nutrition deficiency, heady injury, and stroke.

As mentioned earlier, memory loss and other dementia-related conditions like Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia causes progressive damage to the brain, according to Mayo Clinic.