The National Black Women’s Health Project, 1983 – 1995: A Movement of Inclusive Health Care For Girls and Women
Author:
Sekai Turner
Degree Date:
May, 2010
Committee Chairperson:
N'Dri Assie-Lumumba
Call Number:
Thesis DT 3.5 2010 T876
Description:
ix, 113 leaves.
Abstract:
This thesis critically analyzes the National Black Women's Health Project (NBWHP) in its mission to raise awareness about health issues among AfricanAmerican women in the United States and develop health promotion interventions to be used by adolescents and adult women in the U.S., Africa South America and the Caribbean.
Data in this thesis pertain to roughly 12 years (1983-1995) of NBWHP'S development as a national grassroots organization committed to responding to the health needs of multigenerational and socio-economically diverse females of African descent in the United States population and abroad. Particular attention is given to the organization's development under the leadership of founding President Byllye Avery.
The materials used in this thesis present leading national health issues and percentages for asthma, overweight and obesity, cancer, and HIV/Aids incidences in U.S. children, adolescents and young adults by sex, race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status (based on available data). Selected interventions are reviewed based on evidence-based research underscoring the importance of family health awareness and linking mother-daughter relations to adolescent health outcomes.
Health challenges, documented by researchers of female adolescent and adult health, suggest that strong positive interactions with mothers play an effective role in empowering girls to avoid risks associated with poor health outcomes. Other studies of adolescent girls reveal they may be assets in efforts to -break the silence around health issues in their families and achieve better health outcomes among members.