A study led by health researchers at Rutgers University in the United States has shown that regional policies affecting residents' educational attainment have a lasting impact on their memory and risk of dementia.
Published in the journal Epidemiology, the research compared the differences in cognitive performance decades later among residents in various U.S. states with different mandated years of education.
The researchers suggest that policies aimed at increasing the quantity or quality of school education may have long-term benefits on cognitive outcomes.
The study found that educational levels can predict better cognitive abilities, memory function, life expectancy, and delayed onset of Alzheimer's disease or dementia. Analyzing data from over 20,000 elderly Black and White adults, the researchers assessed education policies across states. They discovered that an increase in years of education due to mandatory education laws and laws related to educational quality in a state was associated with better overall cognitive performance in life, including improved memory and language fluency. These are key determinants of dementia risk.
This investigation further supports previous research indicating that children living in areas with high-quality education have a lower risk of dementia in later life.
Educational Policies' Long-term Impact on Cognitive Health and Dementia Risk
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