Health Issues in the Black Community

The statistics concerning the health of blacks in America are staggering: Black men are nearly twice as likely to die from cancer as the general population. Black babies are twice as likely as white babies to die before their first birthday. Black males fifteen to twenty-four years old experience a homicide rate 700 percent higher than that for white males in the same age group. The rate of AIDS among blacks is more than triple that among whites. In this comprehensive resource, the authors offer an in-depth examination of the health problems confronting the black community - and they offer viable strategies for providing improved health care and disease prevention efforts to this population. In twenty-five original chapters, the authors detail how the AIDS epidemic, chemical dependency, cancer, violence, sickle cell anemia, infant mortality, lead poisoning, and other health problems are affecting the black community. Citing the need for innovative health care policies that are culturally sensitive, the authors examine how African Americans can fare better in the health arena by implementing self-determined strategic initiatives. Health Issues in the Black Community discusses such issues as reproductive rights, health policy formulation, and community organization and empowerment. Focusing on how social, environmental, and economic factors influence both psychological and physiological health, this book will serve as a timely and useful resource for health care providers, researchers, educators, students, and policy makers.