Alcohol-related problems among black, Hispanic and white men: the contribution of neighborhood poverty

Abstract

Objective: We examined the cross-sectional relationships between race/ethnicity, neighborhood poverty and alcohol-related problems among black, Hispanic and white male drinkers. Test hypotheses were that black and Hispanic men living in more impoverished neighborhoods would report increased numbers of alcohol-related problems than comparable white men.

Method: Study hypotheses were tested in a sample of 744 black, Hispanic and white men participating in the 1992 National Alcohol Follow-up Survey. Study hypotheses were analyzed using generalized linear model regression analysis.

Results: Neighborhood poverty had a greater effect on alcohol-related problems in black than in white men, partially supporting our hypothesis. Black men living in more impoverished neighborhoods reported greater numbers of alcohol-related problems than comparable white men; there were no race differences among more affluent men. Neighborhood poverty had little effect on alcohol-related problems in Hispanic men.

Conclusions: Findings suggest that, giving unfavorable economic conditions, black men will report greater numbers of alcohol-related problems than comparable white men.