Africana Health Psychology

This book is one of a kind! The topics and discussion points presented throughout the seven chapters fills a critical gap that has long existed regarding the relationship between health psychology and people of African descent. As indicated by Marilyn D. Lovett, much of what is written about Black people and health is focused on disparities, deficits, and comparisons. However, this book focuses on culture, history, language, consciousness, and empowerment as important aspects of everyday life that can be used to facilitate wellness and wholeness in Black communities globally. This is a must-read for all psychology educators in higher education. I am excited to use this book in my Health Psychology course!

-- Naomi M. Hall-Byers, Winston-Salem State University

Dr. Lovett has done an outstanding job synthesizing the literature regarding African/Black psychology and health psychology. This work addresses African populations throughout the diaspora to improve vital healthy lifestyles. We should commend this work as it contributes to the collective solution as it relates to cultural factors and facilitates positive and healthy outcomes utilizing a wholistic cultural strength perspective. This sister warrior is thoroughly immersed in her research endeavors to seek scientific truth and articulating the plethora of systemic and cultural factors used by researchers to hinder African populations from accessing the healthcare system. She provides a critical analysis of cultural strengths such as the role of Africanity, spirituality, and cultural mores in closing the gap to promote healthy outcomes for African populations. Lovett has offered cultural interventions and proactive solutions to addressing the wholistic behavioral health options by capitalizing on cultural strengths of African populations to ensure vital healthy outcomes. This is a must-read for anyone seeking holistic solutions.

-- Reginald Rackley, Southern Univer