Poverty Linked to Poor Memory Skills in Kids

Stress can kill. Or it can just mess with the brain.

A new study finds the chronic stress caused by growing up poor impairs the working memory of kids. The study looked at test scores and levels of the stress hormones in children age 9-13, then tested them for working memory — considered critical for learning — at age 17.

Those who had known nothing but poverty scored about 20 percent lower on working memory compared to kids who were never poor.

[Read the Full Story at The Washington Post]

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