Addiction-related health behaviors among racial and ethnic populations is the focus of a new multi-university research project, headed by UNLV Professor Bo Bernhard, Ph.D. Researchers from Harvard Medical School's Division of Addictions, the Cambridge Health Alliance, and the University of Michigan will collaborate on the two-year study focusing on individuals of varying ethnic backgrounds in rural and urban environments.

"We know that multiracial individuals are in greater danger of developing a number of high-risk health issues like underage drinking and depression," said Bernhard. "We're working to figure out why disparities exist between rural and urban populations in the Southwest region."

To launch the study, Bernhard received nearly $50,000 in funding through the President's Research Award, a relatively new UNLV initiative that supports research teams pursuing competitive grant funding. Bernhard hopes the first phase of the joint study will attract additional funding from the National Institute of Mental health, which will enable his team to examine factors influencing addiction in greater detail.