The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #72122

Michael A. Young¹, Jennifer Stuber, PhD², Sandro Galea, MD, MPH¹, Shannon Blaney, MPH¹, and Crystal Fuller, PhD¹. (1) Center for Urban Epidemiologic Studies, New York Academy of Medicine, 1216 Fifth Avenue, New York City, NY 10029, 212.822.7274, myoung@nyam.org, (2) The New York Academy of Medicine, 1216 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10029

Although social stereotypes can improve health by discouraging unhealthy behaviors among stereotyped individuals, stigma and discrimination, which are triggered by social context, have also been shown to negatively impact health. Few studies have analyzed the role that individual and community level factors play in shaping stereotypes towards a stigmatized group such as drug users. We assessed the relation between individual and community level characteristics, and stereotypes about drug users held by residents in four New York City neighborhoods. We recruited 981 adults (> 18 years) using random digit dialing and asked them about their own substance use and their approval/disapproval of prevailing stereotypes of drug users. Community variables including social capital, median income, and ratings of the community were measured through aggregation of individual responses and from census data. Respondents were female (54.3%), African-American (48.9%), Latino (44.7%), with a mean age of 42.2 (SD=16.2). Most respondents believed that persons abusing alcohol or drugs are more likely to commit violent crimes (75.8%), lack self-control (75.5%), and would not want someone who was abusing alcohol or drugs as their next door neighbor (70.3%). In three separate multivariable models, covariates that were important predictors of stereotypes were: low education (p=.0221), no previous marijuana use (p=.0073), and living in a community with low median income (p<.0001), low social capital (p=.0083), and low ratings (p=.0332). Public health efforts aimed at decreasing stigma associated with drug users should target specific individuals and communities associated with holding stereotypes.

Learning Objectives:

• To discuss factors contributing to the formation of stereotypes towards stigmatized groups.
• To assess key populations to target inorder to reduce the stigma associated with drug use.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.