Written by a team of experts that includes doctors, nurses, social workers, psychologists, and chemists, this handbook focuses on the diseases that pose the greatest threat to African American women today. Topics include African American women and heart disease, sickle cell, breast cancer, diabetes, HIV and AIDS, as well as mental illness. Social issues that affect health are also examined, including poverty, homelessness, stress, racism, sexism, and treatment disparities. Two thirds of the chapters are all-new with fresh topics and information, and the remaining chapters have been completely updated. This book will be of interest to health professionals and professors, social workers, counselors and students in these fields, as well as African American women seeking more information on these health threats.

This one-of-a kind book challenges the current thinking about black girls to show how America has failed them-and what can be done to make their lives better. African American girls are one of the United States' most endangered populations, yet meaningful explorations of the issues that impact their lives are almost nonexistent. In this riveting book, led by one of the African American community's best-known scholars, experts from across the nation explain the risks, challenges, and influences-both good and bad-faced by black girls and teens. The work shows how our society is failing them, and it outlines what can and should be done to help these young women lead happier, healthier, more successful lives. The book covers a wide range of concerns, including obesity, substance abuse, sex trafficking, gangs, teen pregnancy, and suicide attempts. Stress, low self-esteem, anger, aggression, and violence are explored, as are failures of our education system and of a legal system that tends to victimize young black women. A substantial section on parenting and mentoring discusses ways to counter the negative influences that are a constant for many black girls and adolescents. It is time for American society to recognize and react to the realities these young women face, making this book a must-read for caring parents, teachers, nurses, guidance counselor, doctors, school administrators, and school board members. Provides the first research work on this topic Covers health (physical, mental, and sexual), education, crime/criminal justice, and parenting as they affect black teen girls and adolescents Features contributors from a broad range of fields, including psychology, biology, criminal justice, sociology, spirituality, law, medicine, and popular culture Examines characteristics of at-risk girls and the lure of the "bad girl" image Clarifies what parents/mentors and others can do to help these girls and teens live happy, healthy, more rewarding lives

African American women are dying younger--and at a higher rate--than their white counterparts. Collins shows us how stress plays a role in many of the most common fatal diseases, including heart disease, hypertension, cancer, and diabetes. Studies worldwide have revealed the relationship of stress to disease, citing evidence that African American women may be wired for stress.

Written from an afrocentric point of view, Collins's volume investigates sources of stress in the home and workplace. She reviews historical events that planted roots of stress for African American women, including slavery, racism, and the economic and social pressures currently facing African American men. Collins also understands the subtle, everyday stressors that are not typically heralded in history or medical books: standing for minutes at a department store counter, or waiting for help, only to be bypassed by a clerk aiming to wait on a white person who has just arrived. This book offers methods of stress reduction from a popular walking program to biofeedback, meditation, massage, yoga, and breathing exercises. Also highlighted are foods that contribute to stress and herbs that may help eliminate it.

African American women are dying younger--and at a higher rate--than their white counterparts. Collins shows us how stress plays a role in many of the most common fatal diseases, including heart disease, hypertension, cancer, and diabetes. Studies worldwide have revealed the relationship of stress to disease, citing evidence that African American women may be wired for stress.

Written from an afrocentric point of view, Collins's volume investigates sources of stress in the home and workplace. She reviews historical events that planted roots of stress for African American women, including slavery, racism, and the economic and social pressures currently facing African American men. Collins also understands the subtle, everyday stressors that are not typically heralded in history or medical books: standing for minutes at a department store counter, or waiting for help, only to be bypassed by a clerk aiming to wait on a white person who has just arrived. This book offers methods of stress reduction from a popular walking program to biofeedback, meditation, massage, yoga, and breathing exercises. Also highlighted are foods that contribute to stress and herbs that may help eliminate it.

After decades of research devoted to women's health, a federal agency focused on women's health, and millions of dollars allocated to address women's health disparities, African American women are still the sickest American citizens. This book examines why. Written by an all-female, all-African American team of health experts that include nurse practitioners, registered nurses, educators, and psychologists, this book focuses on the diseases and related social issues that cause the greatest harm and pose the greatest threat to African American women today. Its chapters address topics as varied as heart disease, cancer, sexually transmitted diseases, domestic violence, cervical and breast cancers, obesity, depression, mental illness, dementia/Alzheimer's, and incarcerated women's health care. A chapter is dedicated to identifying the social, cultural, and environmental barriers that block African American women from experiencing the best possible lives. Providing comprehensive coverage of the topic from an Afrocentric perspective, this text will be of great interest to medical and psychological health professionals and professors; social workers, counselors, and students in these fields; as well as African American women seeking current and expert information on these health threats.