Recorded presentation

Thomas K. Greenfield, PhD¹, Jason Bond, PhD¹, William C. Kerr, PhD¹, Rachael Korcha, MS², and Didra Brown Taylor, PhD³. (1) Alcohol Research Group, 2000 Hearst Avenue, Suite 300, Berkeley, CA 94709, 510-642-5208, tgreenfield@arg.org, (2) Alcohol Research Group, Public Health Institute, 2000 Hearst Ave., Suite 300, Berkeley, CA 94709-2130, (3) University of California Los Angeles, 1640 S. Sepulveda Blvd. Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90045

Consumption of malt liquor beer (MLB) has been linked to alcohol problems in local inner-city studies but there is scant national data. We analyze the 2000 National Alcohol Survey conducted by telephone in 50 states, including over-samples of African Americans and Hispanics. Beer drinkers (n=3,018) were asked how much of the time they drank MLB (with brand examples). In all, 18% of beer drinkers consumed MLB at least some of the time (8% regularly, > once in a while). Multivariate analyses assessed the demographics affecting regular and any use of MLB in the past year. Referenced to the beer only group, controlling for demographics, black non-Hispanic respondents were 2.8 (p<.001) times more likely to regularly drink MLB than whites (2.4 for any use), with Hispanic differences not significant. Those 18-29 were more likely than elders to drink MLB at all or regularly; not completing high school and impulsivity increased use but gender was unimportant. Lower income predicted any but not regular use. Controlling for these characteristics, MLB drinkers reported higher alcohol volume (p<.05) but not more frequent heavy drinking; MLB drinkers were 1.5 times more likely (p<.05) to indicate alcohol-related social and health consequences than beer only drinkers but alcohol dependence rate was not statistically elevated. We conclude that beer drinkers who select malt liquor are distinctive and evidence more alcohol problems, though the association may not be causal. We discuss establishing community standards and policies to curtail culturally exploitative marketing in African American communities.

Learning Objectives: At the end of this presentation, the participant will be able to

• Know what factors are associated with beer drinkers choice of high alcohol content malt liquor products and associations with use;
• understand how race/ethnicity plays a role in marketing and drinking these products;
• thoughtfully consider the prevention and policy implications.

Keywords: Alcohol Problems, Ethnic Minorities

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.

Recorded presentation