**SayPro Research at Minority Serving Institutions on Neurocognitive Mechanisms Underlying the Impact of Structural Racism on the Substance Use Trajectory 

If you live in a country where people can be born into any caste or race, then you know that it’s not just about the look but also about the way you’re treated daily. You’ll find that most people won’t even talk to you unless they know you’ve been associated with them for years. Known as structural Racism, it is the subtle form of racism that’s still present in many places around the world today. And one of its impacts is on the substance use trajectory of its victims. Sigh!

Minority serving institutions (MSIs) play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between minority and majority communities. The research conducted here aims to understand why this gap exists and how it can be bridged. By exploring the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying substance use among individuals from minority groups, we aim to develop a framework that can be used by researchers and practitioners alike to better understand the interplay between race and substance use.

SayPro is proud to partner with MSI’s like New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) in their efforts to understanding the interplay between race and substance history on substance use trajectory. Providing resources for this important work is our purpose, and we are happy to call ourselves part of the NYU community!

These days, schools are striving to foster an inclusive environment for all students. But is this being reflected in research? A recent study by SayPro Research aims to answer this question. The study looked at neurocognitive mechanisms underlying the impact of structural racism on substance use trajectories in minority serving institutions. It found that structural racism – or the belief that race impacts one’s life differently than others – has a significant effect on neurocognitive mechanisms that underlie substance use. Structural racism is associated with deficits in executive function, working memory, general intelligence, and processing speed.

These findings have implications for our understanding of substance use among minority youth and how we can best support them. The same data can be used to develop tailored programs that address substance use in these populations, providing them with the tools they need to succeed in school and beyond.

Minority-serving institutions (MSIs) are educational institutions that operate primarily to serve minority students. In the United States, there are more than 200 of these institutions, which enroll over 16 million college students every year.

MSIs have long been recognized as being vital to the success of underserved populations. But what about those who attend these institutions? Do they face additional hurdles? According to a new study by SayPro Research, the answer may be yes. Specifically, researchers examined the impact of structural racism on substance use among MSI college students – and found that along with facing academic challenges, some minority students also struggle with substance abuse. Together with their non-minority peers, minorities at MSIs are likely to experience a heightened risk for substance use disorders – one that can affect their cognitive abilities and hinder their chances for success in school and in life.