Discusses the unsatisfactory access to health services among the poor and the minorities who make up a disproportionate number of the poor. States that until minority groups possess decision making power in the political and economic spheres, the cycle of poverty and illness will continue. (Author/GC)

A practicum was conducted to address the problem of medical exclusion of kindergarteners in a Chicago elementary school serving black, low income children. In order to comply with the state health law, all students entering school for the first time must show evidence of a current physical examination and up-to-date immunizations. Students not in…

Although Blacks face a higher risk of hypertension than other Americans, a comparison between Blacks and Whites participating in a hypertension education series showed no significant differences. The program reduced by 68 percent the number of participants with high blood pressure. Proposes marketing and adherence strategies to attract and retain…

A community-based, drop-in, self-help wellness center representing an empowerment approach to developing culturally appropriate health promotion for black women is described. The program, affiliated services, and jointly sponsored programs are reviewed. Relationships with supporting organizations, strengths and pitfalls of the model, and program…

The relationship between service intensity and improvement in general psychological well-being was investigated at a Community Mental Health Center staffed primarily by Blacks and serving a Black clientele. Results for 145 Black, 18 White, and 12 other clients indicate a nonlinear relationship between level of services and patient improvement.…

Discusses the relationship between health issues and programs, and politics. (SB)

Argues that, for reasons that remain to be fully determined, blacks are particularly prone to hypertension. Some scientists theorize, it is stated, that the pressure of being black is enough to cause the disease; blacks are subjected to encounters that involve greater stress, each of which acts on the body's internal functioning. (Author)

Data were gathered from adult urban Blacks to identify and describe sources of help in dealing with serious problems. Results indicated that the most frequently consulted sources of help were hospitals, community mental health centers, and hotlines. (RC)

Investigated services received, length of treatment, and outcomes of thousands of Asian-American, African-American, Mexican-American, and White clients using outpatient community mental health services. Asian Americans and Mexican Americans underutilized services. African Americans overutilized services and exhibited less positive outcomes.…

This article describes a community-based approach to health promotion planning and intervention implemented by the Health Promotion Resource Center at Morehouse School of Medicine. The community organization and development model implemented was designed to empower an urban Black community neighborhood to become more self-reliant in addressing…

Lack of data on mental health status of Blacks precludes effective prevention programing. Any prevention program must reflect the social, psychological, and physical milieu of the individual, but ideological biases toward preventive health often deny the importance of political factors that create an environment in the Black community that is…

Discusses problem of low rates of immunization for African American children and identifies ways social workers can play a role in ensuring more immunizations. Improving access to existing public programs, facilitating community organization efforts, assisting communities through self-help and mutual-aid initiatives, and supporting national…

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is undisputedly the most significant public health problem facing the Black community today. From the outset, it was apparent that the disease disproportionately affected Blacks. In 1981, when AIDS was first identified, 21.5 percent of the first 107 cases were Blacks and Hispanics. This report discusses…

This paper addresses health and social issues as well as other socioeconomic problems which affect the black family, and the development of appropriate policy and programs to deal with those problems. Data on infant mortality, life expectancy, maternal mortality, physician and dental visits, and some selected death rates from specific causes are…