Researchers have speculated that various forms of social disadvantage, in combination with cultural/social factors, underlie the special susceptibility of Black men to alcohol problems. Among them, Zapolski et al. (2014) recently proposed a theoretical framework for understanding this phenomenon. They suggest that low-income Black men are at elevated risk for alcohol problems even where drinking is moderate due to greater exposure to racism and residence in low-income neighborhoods, both of which may increase distress (and thus stress-related drinking and problem behaviors) and surveillance by authorities, such as the police. Connected with this, drinking practices common in poor neighborhoods, such as public drinking, may attract special notice. Negative consequences (e.g., problems with family or friends due to drinking) are further worsened, they argue, by more conservative drinking norms in Black communities, which may amplify the social disapproval associated with drinking. Additionally, longer heavy drinking trajectories and restrictions in access to, and use of, health services among poor Black populations may exacerbate the negative effects of heavy drinking. Finally, Zapolski et al. acknowledge that biological vulnerability to the effects of alcohol may
