Dr. Pamela Payne Foster, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, has challenged the Black church to take the lead in the struggle to eliminate HIV/AIDS, and petitions all aspects of the African American community, including families, schools, to get involved. Foster, who spent 15 years in HIV/aids prevention as a public health professional, realized that a tool was needed to assist communities in eliminating the disease. Her book “Is There a Balm in Black America? Perspectives of HIV/AIDS in the African America Community?” is a guide to help lay persons learn more about the disease in order to dispel myths and fear, and to arm themselves with the knowledge and tools needed to eliminate HIV/AIDS from their communities.
The book offers a comprehensive approach to learning about HIV/AIDS so as to inspire readers to find their purpose through self discovery, heritage, and general health, wellness, and healing. Helpful questions found at the end of each chapter can be used for personal reflection or group discussion, as well as general HIV/AIDS prevention information and HIV/AIDS prevention resources.
The author's unique personal account of work at a grass roots level is meant to challenge readers to become involved in combating the disease in their communities. Others who contributed to the book are Rep. Laura Hall, (D) from Huntsville, Alabama, who offers a personal account of her family dealing with the death of her son from AIDS; and Roland Barksdale-Hall also contributes to the book with personal accounts about his tenure as an AIDS educator.
E-mail addresses: Pamela_foster3@hotmail.com, ppayne-foster@cchs.ua.edu, cell phone-334-322-1138, blackberry-205-310-4711. Author website: www.ppaynefoster.com.
