Stress and Resilience: The Social Context of Reproduction in Central Harlem / Edition 1

by Leith Mullings, Alaka Wali

Overview

Documenting the daily efforts of African Americans to protect their community against highly oppressive conditions, this ground-breaking volume chronicles the unique experiences of black women that place them at higher risk for morbidity and mortality - especially during pregnancy. Stress and Resilience: The Social Context of Reproduction in Central Harlem examines the processes through which economic circumstances, environmental issues, and social conditions create situations that expose African American women to stress and chronic strain. Detailing the individual and community assets and strategies used to address these conditions, this volume provides a model methodology for translating research into public health and social action.
Based on interactive community partnered research, Stress and Resilience: The Social Context of Reproduction in Central Harlem

• Facilitates more exact hypotheses about the relationship between risk factors, protective factors and reproductive health;
• Furnishes a better understanding of chronic disease patterns and suggests more effective interventions to reduce rates of infant mortality;
• Incorporates the voices of the community and of women themselves through their own words and actions;
• Sheds light on epidemiologic research and intervention prools;
• Examines the social context in which reproductive behaviors are practiced;
• Provides a holistic framework in which to understand infant mortality;
• And more.
Filling a large gap in the literature on the social context of reproduction this important monograph offers indispensable information for public health researchers, program planners, anthropologists, sociologists, urban planners, medical providers, policy makers, and private funders.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780306466380
Publisher:	Springer US
Publication date:	09/30/2001
Edition description:	2001
Pages:	210
Product dimensions:	7.01(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.03(d)

About the Author

Mullings, Leith; Wali, Alaka

Table of Contents

1. Reproductive Health, Harlem, and Research. 2. Where People Live: The Environmental Context of Reproduction. 3. Where People Work: The Economic Context of Reproduction . 4. Social Support and Reproductive Health. 5. Health Care Delivery and Reproductive Health. 6. Race, Class, Gender, and Health. Appendix: Community Profile Charts. References. Index.

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Janet E. Ordway, MD (Maine Department of Behavioral & Developmental Services)
Description: This is an ethnographic study of the quantitative and qualitative causes of the reproductive health disparities of African American women living in Harlem who have poor pregnancy outcomes when compared to their white counterparts.
Purpose: The purpose was to determine why the pregnancy outcomes among these women were poorer than those in the white population. This is worthy of study and it is a very complete investigation. The book meets the authors' objectives.
Audience: The book can be read by students, residents and practitioners, especially those working with underprivileged populations and dealing with pregnant women. Those interested in public health and research should find the book especially rewarding. The authors are credible.
Features: The authors identify the broad social, economic, and political influences and their impact on maternal health during pregnancy. Because of the qualitative descriptions by and about these women, one can almost feel what they experience. There are numerous statistics graphs and a large bibliography. However, the print is too small.
Assessment: Having studied and read much about pregnancy and the first 3-5 years of a child's life and having experienced firsthand what living on welfare is like, I found this book an excellent addition to the field. One might be put off by the numerous statistics and the small print, but readers will be rewarded by the book's completeness.

Doody's Review Service

4 Stars! from Doody