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.


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.


Review
“Groundbreaking . . . One of the most comprehensive books on Black women’s health ever.”
—Essence



Review
?Groundbreaking . . . One of the most comprehensive books on Black women?s health ever.?
?Essence



Book Description
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.


From the Inside Flap
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.


From the Back Cover
“Groundbreaking . . . One of the most comprehensive books on Black women’s health ever.”
—Essence

FROM THE PUBLISHER