play in Black youth, whether religiosity serves as one such factor is unclear. Furthermore, even though Whites are more likely than Blacks to use alcohol at an early age and to progress to AUD, the negative social and health outcomes associated with alcohol misuse are more pronounced in Blacks and other minority groups,17 who also tend to be less likely to access alcohol treatment services.18 Therefore, identifying factors that contribute to differences in onset of drinking and progression to AUD in Whites and Blacks, and elucidating the pathways by which they contribute to their association with alcohol involvement, is essential if bridging ethnic disparities is to be a priority.
