Black Health Matters: The Vital Facts You Must Know to Protect Your Health and That of Your Loved Ones

Review
"Clear-cut, easy-to-understand chapters on a variety of illnesses both major and minor . . . The best use of this book, perhaps, is in the basics it offers: overviews, learning to read charts, understanding numbers, and making easy health changes. That's all in here, it's do-able, and it could make Black Health Matters a patient-empowering tool for understanding major health issues, recognizing them, and keeping ahead." ― The Bookworm Sez (nationally syndicated review columnist)
"The fundamental health information is well supported, clearly presented, and helpful. Walker’s inclusion of historical context for Black health issues is key." -- Maggie Knapp, Trinity Valley Sch., Fort Worth, TX ― Library Journal
"At all times using a friendly, almost conversational tone, and seamlessly combining a mix of statistics and scientific information throughout, along with easy to follow recommendations for resolving certain health issues brought to the fore, Dr. Walker outlines the primary health disparities that exist between African-Americans and white Americans . . . complete with a really helpful "Glossary" and "Guide to Dietary Supplements" located in the back of the book, what Dr. Walker tries to explain is how African-Americans can turn their health around by understanding and incorporating better nutrition, nutritional supplements, exercise, and regular healthcare checkups into their lives . . . encourages us all, no matter our ancestry, to all take that first step towards achieving a healthier, longer life." -- Anne Carlini ― Exclusive Magazine Published On: 2022-02-22
It’s no secret that the Black community tops the list of groups afflicted by hypertension, stroke, diabetes, heart disease, kidney failure, and cancer. What the statistics do not show is the pain, misery, and despair that these conditions create―not only for the individual but also for family and friends. As an African-American doctor, Dr. Richard Walker has studied these conditions among his patients for many years. Now, in Black Health Matters, Dr. Walker offers a number of commonsense ways to prevent, manage, and possibly eliminate these killers, turning the tide of African-American health.
In this unique book, Dr. Walker follows the health and healthcare journey of African captives into slavery and describes what they had to do to survive nutritionally and culturally, ultimately resulting in the chronic ill health and early death now pervasive in Black communities. Most important, Dr. Walker explains how African Americans can turn their health around by understanding and incorporating better nutrition, nutritional supplements, exercise, and regular healthcare checkups into their lives. Each chapter explains a different health problem common to the Black community―including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, hypertension, sickle cell disease, and more―and offers concrete ways in which that condition can be avoided or better managed, often through simple changes that can be easily made by the individual. Tips are included for locating and communicating with affordable healthcare professionals.
A highly practical and easy-to-use guide, Black Health Matters is an important first step towards achieving a healthier, longer life for millions of people.