However, disparities in SUDs are likely not consistent across the lifespan. Age-varying gender and racial/ethnic differences in substance use have been documented in adolescence and young adulthood (Chen and Jacobson, 2012; Evans-Polce et al., 2014; Kandel et al., 2011). For example, a racial/ethnic crossover effect has been found such that Black adolescents have lower rates of use compared to White adolescents; however, in young adulthood this difference reverses such that rates are higher among Black individuals compared to White individuals (Chen and Kandel, 2002; Geronimus, 1993; Kandel et al., 2011; Ensminger et al., 2016). However, less is known about age-varying differences in SUDs, or how disparities in SUDs may extend or weaken for midlife or older adults. Such information can be used to ensure programs target the most at-risk groups of individuals at particular ages or periods of risk.
