Press Release Summary: This book presents a compilation of essays and speeches by the author on various issues surrounding HIV/AIDS in the African American community. The author draws on her extensive community based and advocacy work in preventive medicine/public health and her passion in preventing HIV/AIDS in the African American community, both in urban and rural communities. Additionally, the author presents factual educational material on HIV/AIDS as well as discussion questions to encourage more in-depth thought and discussion on sensitive subject matter. The author challenges the reader to consider the question, "Is there a Balm for HIV/AIDS in Black America?" It is hoped that after reading the book, the reader is able to proclaim, "Yes" because I am part of the healing that must take place in the community.
Press Release Body: *Release Source: Roland Barksdale-Hall, National AIDS Book Project Coordinator
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Pamela Payne Foster, MD challenges the African American community to begin to become more knowledgeable and more empowered to end HIV/AIDS in their communities!
MONTGOMERY/TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA-2007- Dr. Pamela Payne Foster wrote "Is There a Balm in Black America? Perspectives of HIV/AIDS in the African American Community" to guide laypeople in learning more about the disease in order to dispel myths, denial and fear about the disease and arm themselves with the knowledge and tools needed to eliminate this disease in their communities. After 15 years in HIV/AIDS prevention, the public health professional realized that a tool to assist community members was required. She enlists all aspects of the African American community to get involved with the fight to eliminate HIV/AIDS, including families, schools, and especially the Black church to take the lead in this struggle.
The book, "Is There a Balm in Black America? Perspectives of HIV/AIDS in the African American Community" can be found on (www.lulu.com), the world's fastest-growing provider of print-on-demand books. Dr. Pamela Foster challenges the reader to answer the question, "Is There a Balm in Black America?" The author offers a broad range of perspectives on fighting HIV/AIDS in the African American community. The book employs a comprehensive approach to educate not only about HIV/AIDS, but also to inspire the reader to find their purpose through self discovery, heritage, and general health, wellness, and healing. The book provides helpful questions at the end of each chapter to be used for personal reflection or group discussion as well as general HIV/AIDS prevention information and HIV/AIDS prevention resources.
The guide offers the author's unique personal account of work at a grass roots level in order to educate and challenge readers to get involved in combating the disease in their community. The book also contains contributions from Representative Laura Hall, (D) from Huntsville, Alabama, who gives personal accounts of her family dealing with her son's death from AIDS. Roland Barksdale-Hall also contributes to the book with personal accounts during his time as an AIDS educator.
"Is There a Balm in Black America? Perspectives of HIV/AIDS in the African American Community is available for purchase at www.lulu.com. All proceeds will benefit AframSouth, Inc., a non-profit dedicated to strengthening and preserving the African American family. Additionally, The National AIDS Book Project will provide books free of charge to community groups through the donation by community organizations. If you are interested either in donating books or receiving books contact the Coordinator - Roland Barksdale-Hall at roland.barksdalehall@gmail.com."
Link to Publication*: http://www.lulu.com/
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Pamela Payne Foster is a Preventive Medicine and Public Health physician who currently resides in Montgomery and Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She is Deputy Director of the Institute for Rural Health Research at The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She has worked most of her career in the field of minority health through academic - community partnerships, serving both African American and Latino communities within and near Long Island, New York, Atlanta, Georgia, Washington, D.C. and now Alabama. She is married to William Foster, Jr. a social worker. In 2006, they founded a nonprofit organization, AframSouth, Inc.; a culturally-based educational and health resource center focused on human and health development issues in African American communities, particularly in the South.
ABOUT LULU Founded in 2002, Lulu is the world's fastest-growing print-on-demand marketplace for digital do-it-yourselfers. Please see www.lulu.com for more information.