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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Sonia Jain, MPH¹, Mona Mena, MPH², Celana Ahtye³, and Joan Kiley³. (1) Dept of Society, Human Development and Health, Harvard University School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Ave, 6th floor, Boston, MA 02115, (610) 852-5234, sojain@hsph.harvard.edu, (2) Emergency Medical Services, Alameda County Public Health Department, 1000 San Leandro Blvd., San Leandro, CA 94577, (3) Environmental Prevention in Communities, 3101 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley, CA 94705

Background: Low-income communities of color are disproportionately targeted by alcohol ads, media and surplus of liquor stores and outlets. Yet, the patterns and predictors of alcohol consumption among minority youth living in these neighborhoods are largely unknown. Thereby, resulting in lack of local efforts to reduce underage drinking in communities of color.

Methods: A cross-sectional self-administered survey was designed and implemented by youth in Oakland to assess the prevalence, predictors and perceived consequences of underage drinking. The sample consisted of 349 predominantly minority youth ages 14-20, from traditional and non-traditional high schools, street fairs and youth organizations. The process entailed a participatory action research design led by youth in an effort to effect community level change.

Results: Of the 349 completed survey respondents, 40% were African American, 26% Hispanic, 21% Asian, 2.6% Native Americans and 3% White. White and Hispanic youth report significantly higher rate of drinking than Black and Asian youth. Almost 50% of Black and Asians report never drinking before. We will discuss how often, when, where, what and why minority youth drink. Also, the influence of environmental risk factors (such as media, access to alcohol, parents), and protective factors, e.g. mentors and after-school programs, on underage drinking was explored.

Conclusions: The results shall help inform community and policy-level strategies to systematically prevent underage drinking among communities of color.

Learning Objectives:

• describe the prevalence of underage drinking across ethnic minority groups.
• develop strategies at the community-level to prevent underage drinking.
• identify environmental factors associated with drinking among minority youth

Keywords: Alcohol Use, Youth

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation