Race and Disability

Reviews Psychosocial Aspects of Chronic Illness and Disability Among African Americans (see record 1998-06370-000). Disability and other chronic health conditions are markedly more prevalent among African Americans than among members of any other ethnic or racial group in America. Yet efforts to prevent and to treat these impairments have been stymied by the group's persistent underutilization of health and rehabilitation services. This book argues that an understanding of cultural factors is essential for any allied health professional seeking to solve these problems. The reviewer notes that Belgrave's book is one of only a handful to focus on disability and health status of minority group members in America. As such, it represents a contribution to the literature. The book does, however, have some notable weaknesses. Psychosocial Aspects of Chronic Illness and Disability Among African Americans focuses on physical and health conditions; notably lacking is information on mental retardation and mental illness. In addition, this book would have been more useful had the author pulled together specific, concrete recommendations for practitioners. Because she did not, readers must wade through chapters about Africentric culture, patterns of health care utilization, and social support, pulling out techniques that appear to be promising. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)