’U’ study finds more, and cheaper, malt liquor in black areas
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ST. PAUL (AP) — Researchers at the University of Minnesota found that malt liquor is more heavily promoted in black neighborhoods, and is also available in greater quantities and at lower prices in those areas.
The study compared neighborhoods in 10 U.S. cities, and found that economic status didn’t play a role.
It found that low-income white, Hispanic and Asian neighborhoods didn’t have similar access to malt liquor, which has a higher alcohol volume than beer.
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Associate professor Rhonda Jones-Webb says cheap access to malt liquor means it is easier for underage kids to obtain.
The results of the study were published this week in the Journal of Substance Use and Misuse.
Its authors are hoping to provoke new public policy debates over whether beer companies are simply responding to market demand, or whether their promotion of malt liquor in black communities helps fuel social problems.
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Information from: St. Paul Pioneer Press, http://www.twincities.com
