A national study finds living in southern states, including Georgia, increases your chances of developing memory problems. The national study tracked nearly 24-thousand people including more than a thousand in Georgia.

The federally-funded University of Alabama study finds southerners are 18-percent more likely to experience failed memory. They also process thoughts more slowly as they age when compared to other states. UAB’s Virginia Wadley says study participants are interviewed every six months and given standard memory tests.

“If you look at it by state, six of the eight stroke belt states fit this pattern of higher rates of cognitive decline or risk of cognitive decline I should say. But, Georgia is one of those six.”

Wadley says they will continue to track people and try to figure out why disparities exist. Other states in the risk area include Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Tennessee.

Tags: University of Alabama, stroke belt, memory problems, Georgia health