"After decades of research devoted to women's health, a federal agency focused on women's health, and millions of dollars allocated to address women's health disparities, African American women are still the sickest American citizens. This book examines why. Written by an all-female, all-African American team of health experts that include nurse practitioners, registered nurses, educators, and psychologists, this book focuses on the diseases and related social issues that cause the greatest harm and pose the greatest threat to African American women today. Its chapters address topics as varied as heart disease, cancer, sexually transmitted diseases, domestic violence, cervical and breast cancers, obesity, depression, mental illness, dementia/Alzheimer's, and incarcerated women's health care. A chapter is dedicated to identifying the social, cultural, and environmental barriers that block African American women from experiencing the best possible lives. Providing comprehensive coverage of the topic from an Afrocentric perspective, this text will be of great interest to medical and psychological health professionals and professors; social workers, counselors, and students in these fields; as well as African American women seeking current and expert information on these health threats. Presents technical information that will be invaluable to professionals in the social science and health science fields within text that is easy-to-read and accessible for general readers; examines the challenges of rectifying the main source of health disparity among African American women: poor economic status; covers a wide range of health issues affecting African American women, including breast cancer, dementia, depression, domestic violence, HIV, obesity, and sickle cell anemia" -- Publisher's description.