African American Women and HIV/AIDS: Critical Responses / Edition 1

by Dorie J. Gilbert, Ednita M. Wright

Overview

AIDS is the second-leading cause of death among African American women between the ages of 18 and 44. African American women constitute 63% of all cases of AIDS among women in the United States. This volume brings together the collective wisdom of scholars, researchers, and social work professionals dealing with these concerns. Focusing attention on the primary population of women impacted by AIDS, this book presents culturally sensitive responses that meet the specific needs of African American women.

An historical and current overview of the alarming HIV infection rate among African Americans, in particular women, introduces the crisis. Subsequent chapters highlight HIV/AIDS prevention and intervention strategies that are successfully impacting the African American population. Guided by a feminist perspective and grounded in social construction theory, social work theory, and social work practice, this volume privileges the voice of African American women, the group that is the most disenfranchised—and least accurately represented—in AIDS-related research and writing. This essential guide sheds light on a calamity too often overlooked, making it especially valuable for scholars, students, researchers, and practitioners involved with HIV/AIDS issues in the African American community, and with women's and black studies.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780275971281
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	03/30/2003
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

DORIE J. GILBERT is Assistant Professor at the Center for Social Work Research, University of Texas, Austin. She is co-editor of Bulletin of HIV/AIDS in Social Work.

EDNITA M. WRIGHT is Director of Diversity and Outreach Services for Gannett Health Center, Cornell University.

Table of Contents

Foreword by Mindy Thompson Fullilove
Introduction
Reconstructing the Reality about African American Women and HIV/AIDS
The Sociocultural Construction of AIDS among African-American Women by Dorie J. Gilbert
Deep within the Well: The Voices of African-American Women Living with HIV/AIDS by Ednita M. Wright
Substance Abuse and African Americans: The Need for Africentric-Based Substance Abuse Treatment Models by Cheryl T. Grills
The Collective Impact: Women, HIV-Affected Families, and Communities Impacted by and Responding to AIDS
HIV-Positive African American Women and Their Families: Barriers to Effective Family Coping by Sharon E. Williams
HIV-Affected African American Children and Adolescents: Intersecting Vulnerabilities by Dorie J. Gilbert
Focus on Solutions: Harlem Dowling-West Side Center for Children and Family Services: A Comprehensive Response to Working with HIV-Affected Families by Melba Butler and T. Chedgzsey Smith-McKeever
Transformations: African-American HIV-Positive Women become Peer Educators and Activist in AIDS Prevention by Mildred Williamson
Making a Way Out of No Way: Spirituality as Coping among HIV-Positive African American Women by Ednita M. Wright
Focus on Solutions: The Balm in Gilead: The Black Church Responds to AIDS Interview with Pernessa Seele
African American Adolescent Females: Invisible and At-Risk
African American Adolescent Girls: Neglected and Disrespected by Ella Mitzell Kelly
Focus on Solutions: A Mother-Daughter Community-Based Prevention Program by Barbara Dancy
Focus on Solutions: A Culturally Tailored, Computerized Prevention Program Targeting African American Females on College Campuses by Heather A. Katz
Community and Policy Action: Critical Responses
Culturally Grounded Responses: HIV/AIDS Practice and Counseling Issues for African American Women by Patricia Stewart
Focus on Solutions: Blacks Assisting Blacks against AIDS (St. Louis, Mo.) by Dana Williams
An Analysis of HIV/AIDS Policy and African American Women: From Apathy to Action by Tonya E. Perry