Letters To The Editor

Courage To Survive
Thank you for writing about Joyce Turner-Keller and her battle with AIDS in “Holding up the Banner” (Fall 2006). She is truly an inspiration. I have been blessed to have the opportunity to get to know Ms. Turner-Keller and to see her strength, courage and optimism as she advocates for people with HIV. I am grateful that your magazine chose to include this wonderful African-American woman, so that others can see what I see—that you don’t have to be a victim, but a survivor.

The Comforts Of Home
When I read “Gone With the Wind” (Fall 2006), I was saddened to hear that black people in New Orleans, who have already suffered so much in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, had lost many of their black doctors. For most of their lives, they sought medical attention from persons of similar backgrounds as their own, and now, as they’re rebuilding their lives, they must do so without their regular doctors. For many older people, it’s virtually impossible to comfortably change medical providers at this point in their lives. Their only options are to try to establish a relationship with a new doctor, who may not be understanding of their needs or, worse, to put off medical care, endangering their health.

The Bus Stops Here
I coordinate an HIV prevention program called “Get on the Bus” at the Osborne Association, a nonprofit organization working with people and families affected by incarceration. The program targets black and Latina women whose male partners, husbands or boyfriends are incarcerated by providing them with sexual health information and free transportation to visit them in prison. Real Health’s summer 2006 issue had an article, “From Night Into Day,” that brought to light the very serious issue of men returning home from prison after having been without adequate medical services and who are at very high risk for a number of health issues, particularly HIV. These are the kinds of articles our women need to have access to, and I plan to include your magazine in the information packets I give to our program participants.

In Richness and Health…
I am the coauthor of The Baron Son, a book on personal wealth, and I am constantly on the road delivering financial lectures. I have found that many of the factors contributing to poor physical health parallel those that lead to poor financial health. Examples include misinformation, fear, procrastination and poor habits. In my work to bridge the gap for African Americans on how health and wealth are tied together, I have found your publication to be a valuable resource. Thank you for helping me to empower others.