Unkindness associated with racism has been linked to health issues for some time. During the 1980s, researchers reported a connection between poor cardiovascular health and the discrimination experienced by African Americans. This led to additional findings that established a link between health issues in minorities and perceived discriminatory treatment. Recent research supports the finding that discrimination is bad for physical and mental health. It also puts the victims of discrimination at risk for binge drinking.

Binge Drinking and Coping with Discriminatory Stress

According to Paul Gilbert, Assistant Professor at the University of Iowa, many people deal with stress by drinking alcohol. Stress-related drinking is seen as a coping mechanism, even though drinking to relieve stress can cause additional stress.

Professor Gilbert was curious about whether the stress of being discriminated against would increase the probability that the target of the discriminatory behavior [Read more…]

Over the past decade or so, numerous studies have been held that test the influence of alcohol advertising on teens. The results of these studies have consistently displayed that this advertising heavily influences teen drinking. Here’s a closer look at why that’s the case.

Primary Findings

Exposure to alcohol marketing has tangible effects on teenagers. For instance, among 7th graders that viewed these ads, nearly half of them began consuming alcohol in some form by 9th grade. For 7th graders that had just started consuming these beverages, over 75 percent of those that viewed alcohol ads continued drinking by 9th grade. [Read more…]