Dorothy C. Browne, DrPH, Drug Abuse Research Program, Morgan State University, 1700 E Cold Spring Lane, Montebello Building, Room D103, Baltimore, MD 21251, 443-885-4030, DrDotBrowne@aol.com

Several major studies of college students have been conducted, including the Core Alcohol and Drug Survey, the College Alcohol Study, and the National College Health and Risk Behavior Survey. However, the majority of participants in these surveys have been non-Hispanic white students. This session will: provide an overview of datasets and recent findings that focus on substance use among students enrolled at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); discuss the importance of these datasets in understanding substance use among college students enrolled at HBCUs; and present a proposal to examine drug use and other health disparities in HBCU college students longitudinally in an effort to understand the development of health risk behaviors. This period is of particular interest given that individuals must make important transitions, including the initial adjustment to college life and then to employment or continuing education after graduation. A focus on HBCU college students is motivated by three areas of research. First, research consistently indicates that white college students are more likely to use alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs than their African American counterparts. Thus, research focusing on HBCU students provides an opportunity to examine protective factors. Also, statistics indicate that the gap in illicit drug use among African Americans and whites narrows when considering older age groups. Thus, longitudinal studies are necessary to the development of substance use beyond early adulthood, particularly for African Americans. Finally, the context of initiation and use of drugs may vary for different ethnic groups.

Learning Objectives:

• Provide an overview of recent research studies and findings regarding students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
• Identify gaps in the current research in this area.
• Explore opportunities for collaboration with researchers interested in the health of African-American college students.

Keywords: Health Disparities, Drug Abuse

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.