Prime Time: The African American Woman's Complete Guide to Midlife Health and Wellness [Paperback]

Gayle K. Porter M.D. (Author), Marilyn Gaston Ph.D. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 29, 2003

Today seven million African American women are living in their prime, experiencing the joys and challenges of middle age. Now, at last, here is the book that addresses our total health needs—physical, emotional, and spiritual. Written by a distinguished physician and a clinical psychologist, Prime Time is the first complete guide that empowers us to take charge of our lives and attain the well-being we deserve.

In many ways, it’s true that we are better off today than our foremothers were: We earn more money, command more respect. Yet in spite of these advances, we still experience more chronic health problems, endure more stress, and live shorter lives than women of other races. That’s why Prime Time is both urgent and essential. This groundbreaking book not only lays out a detailed, practical plan for overall healing and for maintaining wellness, it also addresses the underlying attitudes and assumptions that lead so many of us to neglect ourselves and undermine our own health. Prime Time will help you

• Reframe priorities to put yourself and your own health needs first
• Interpret the latest medical findings on the Big Four killers and how they affect black women in middle age
• Profile your current health with worksheets, quizzes, and assessment tools
• Renew sex at midlife by eliminating restricting myths and taboos and finding new paths to pleasure
• Reduce anger and “attitude” that block you from attaining good health
• Identify the nontraditional signs of depression and anxiety common to African American women

Comprehensive, straight-talking, and grounded in science and spiritual truth, Prime Time is at once a guide to total health in middle age and a celebration of the strength, wisdom, and beauty of African American women in their second half of life.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

African American women are prey in disproportionate numbers to a range of preventable illnesses in middle age, according to Assistant Surgeon General of the U.S. Marilyn Hughes Gaston and clinical psychologist Gayle K. Porter. Also in their prime, and recognizing the lack of good information on the subject, they offer support and advice to their sisters in Prime Time: The African American Woman's Complete Guide to Midlife Health and Wellness. Because many black women are without partners and have been caretakers for their children, parents and extended families (along with, the authors acknowledge, most likely having dealt with racism, sexism and other isms), they may not be fully aware of their own needs and well-being. This is the perfect time to take stock and to make the changes necessary to fully experience and enjoy the next chapters of their lives. With facts, discussions of the various health risks, remedies, psychological underpinnings, tests, anecdotes, advice and generous lists of resources and further reading, they extend a plethora of knowledge and support to their readers. 8-city author tour.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Written by an assistant surgeon general of the United States and a clinical psychologist, respectively, Prime Time is a wellness book aimed at African American women over the age of 40, covering issues such as heart disease, diabetes, menopause, and depression. The usual prescriptions of diet, exercise, and stress reduction are included, but each focuses on the medical and emotional needs of older black women in particular. Statistics dealing specifically with this group are used when available, and the authors do a good job of identifying certain diseases that may be more significant for African American women than for the general population. The authors intersperse their medical advice with personal stories about quitting smoking and dealing with the death of loved ones. This guide is similar to other books like Body & Soul: The Black Women's Guide to Physical Health and Emotional Well-Being (HarperPerennial, 1994) and The Black Women's Health Book (Seal, 1990) except that it focuses on older women. Affordable, comprehensive, and focused on a very specific population, this is recommended for public and consumer health libraries. Elizabeth Williams, Fresno City Coll. Lib., CA
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 544 pages
• Publisher: One World/Ballantine; Rev Upd edition (April 29, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345432169
• ISBN-13: 978-0345432162
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 1.4 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #61,310 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Awesome!, June 8, 2001

By 

Kimberly Wethers (Columbia, MD United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Prime Time: The African American Woman's Complete Guide to Midlife Health and Wellness (Hardcover)

Though I am not quite yet within the demographic age group this treasure was targeted at I have been blessed with a better understanding of what will be necessary to sustain a better spiritual, physical and generally healthy lifestyle. I especially appreciated the writing style of the authors. The personal testimonies made the book very personal and relatable. I found the authors candid, knowledgeable and thorough in their research. This book is great for general reading and understanding (I like curling up with it on the sofa). It's also a must for every woman's personal reference library.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic, May 29, 2001

By 

Marcus M. Mottley, Ph.D. - See all my reviews

This review is from: Prime Time: The African American Woman's Complete Guide to Midlife Health and Wellness (Hardcover)

This is a powerful, thorough and scientifically-based book for African American Women. Its focus is on wellness, disease prevention, and specific treatments for many of the ailments from which many African American women suffer. The book is well organized with clear and detailed disucssions of complex topics written in plain English.

There are many things which set this book apart. First it is targeted to African American women and distinguishes illnesses and treatments that are applicable specifically to them. Yet, other women can derive tremendous benefit from the detailed information.

Second, the authors present real life examples and true stories drawn from their own lives, and from the lives of the many women with whom they talked and discussed health experiences, challenges, concerns and triumphs.

Third, the authors include unique assessments which readers can take to help them focus on and address their health and wellness issues and concerns. This feature, in my mind, sets a new standard for books of this type.

Fourth, the authors' handling of the topic is broad and deep and includes good coverage of both the physical and emotional wellbeing and other aspects of total wellness.

Fifth, the book is filled with important graphics including photographs which clearly depict the message of this book: African American women can and do take personal responsibility for their own health and wellness.

This book is for the lay person or clinician, the healthy or the ill; It is for women at their prime - whether before, at or beyond midlife.

Men can also benefit personally from this complete and comprehensive guide to midlife health and wellness. I did.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An important handbook for midlife women, July 4, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Prime Time: The African American Woman's Complete Guide to Midlife Health and Wellness (Hardcover)

Prime Time provides an Afro-American women's sourcebook to midlife health and wellness, providing particular information for black women ranging from understanding the health care system to defusing anger and managing stress. From assessing the risk for diabetes to understanding the common signs of depression, Prime Time is an important handbook for midlife women.