Groundbreaking Guide for African-Americans is the First of Its Kind 

BlackNews.com

October 21, 2008

If you couldn't talk for yourself because of a life-threatening illness, what would you want done? If you couldn't eat by mouth, would you want to be tube fed? These are just a few questions that need to be considered in end of life planning. 

The African American Spiritual and Ethical Guide to End of Life Care-What Y'all Gon' Do With Me? is the first of its kind in the United States and was written specifically for African Americans who want to know more about end of life issues. The easy-to-read booklet offers basic information on how to make good choices concerning end of life care and contains a special pullout Health Care Directive form. 

Racial disparity in health care has caused many people of color not to trust doctors or proposed treatment options. According to the Institute of Medicine Report of 2002, health care disparities continue to cause minorities to receive less quality healthcare. Because of African Americans' unique cultural history and value system, the decision-making process on end of life issues is often based on spirituality and religious influences. Ethical decision-making encompasses much more than a medical dimension. It is important to understand the key influencing factors--culture, history and generational family values--that seem to play an important part in addressing the specific needs of African American decision-making in end of life care. 

Gloria Thomas Anderson
             "Taking control of your life and health is a choice." 

Gloria Thomas Anderson, an African American woman, is the author of the Guide and a licensed master's degreed social worker, who is passionate about her mission in life, which is to encourage and inspire others. When asked what motivated her to do research in this area, Gloria replied, "I saw the need in my own family. Some of my relatives did not understand the difference between a 'living will' and a 'legal will'...or what an 'advance directive' is and a 'durable power of attorney for health care decisions'. When you are in an emergency situation at a hospital and not prepared to deal with your own business of healthcare, it can be devastating. Taking control of your life and health is a choice. Having the information to make a wise choice is what you will find in the Guide. You have to trust somebody and you have to tell someone what you want if you cannot speak for yourself." 

Gloria became a subject-matter expert during the process of developing and writing The African American Spiritual and Ethical Guide, and presented her work at the First North American Spirituality and Social Work Conference in Waterloo, Canada in 2006. She is a clinical instructor and motivational speaker, presenting and lecturing on a wide range of social service and inspirational topics to healthcare professionals, churches, and social service organizations throughout the United States. Gloria was recently interviewed on NPR affiliate, KCUR, and has been featured in several national articles, including the Hospice Foundation of America newsletter, July 2008. The Guide is now in its third printing and is available for purchase directly through her website, www.hearttones.com 

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