Chunk #37 — 5. Special consideration of select environments for U.S. racial/ethnic minority groups — Social triggers — Co-occurrence of environmental triggers
Socioeconomic status, racial discrimination, and neighborhood disadvantage often are closely related, with race/ethnicity impacting all three113,114. The Mulia et al.97 study detailed above found that experiencing multiple forms of social adversities (racial/ethnic stigma, unfair treatment, and poverty) increased risk for problem drinking across ethnic groups. Zemore et al.3 showed that adversities accumulate in their association with alcohol problems: Specifically, unfair treatment for Blacks and perceived ethnic stigma for Latinos/Hispanics each were associated with alcohol problems among those living below the poverty level but not above. At the neighborhood level, there also is co-occurrence with certain environmental constraints. Disadvantaged neighborhoods often contain an excess of alcohol outlets115,116. We also note that low-income minority communities may be more likely to have more liquor stores, while low-income white communities may be more likely to have more bars117; thus, choosing the most appropriate measure(s) of alcohol availability is essential.
