Blacks in Medicine: Clinical, Demographic, and Socioeconomic Correlations

This socially conscious, culturally relevant book explores the little-known history and present climate of Black people in the medical field. It reveals the deficiencies in the American healthcare structure that have contributed to the mismanagement of healthcare in the Black population, and examines cross-currents that intersect with the major events in minority medical history. Illustrated across 10 expertly written chapters, this text features a longitudinal timeline with the presentation of evidence-based information drawn from historical, political, and clinical sources. The book begins with an analysis of diseases particularly prevalent in the Black community due to socioeconomic inequalities in available medical care. These diseases include sickle cell anemia, hypertension, heart failure, drug addiction, and HIV/AIDS. Bolstered by profiles of historically well-known Black physicians, stories of success in medical education, and the remarkable impact of Black medical organizations, subsequent chapters address the triumphs and tribulations of the Black medical professional in America. Concluding with an examination of the current health status of Black people in the United States, the book makes a case for future systemic improvements in healthcare delivery to minority communities. A unique, noteworthy reference, Blacks in Medicine: Clinical, Demographic, and Socioeconomic Correlations is written for a broad range of physicians and health providers, as well as professionals in the social sciences and public health.