Dr. Melody McCloud is committed to advising the Black community on how they can live healthier in 2023. In January, she published Black Women‘s Wellness: Your “I’ve Got This!” Guide to Health, Sex, and Phenomenal Living, a book about sexual health and other challenges like menopause.
Recently, McCloud sat with rolling out to discuss the book.
What is your new book about?
I do have a new book, and it is called Black Women’s Wellness: Your “I’ve Got This!” Guide to Health, Sex, and Phenomenal Living. I’m happy to say that it has been endorsed by our beloved queen, Pauletta Washington, [she] is a wife and she’s a great actress and musician. Also some other people, Dr. Jen Ashton from “Good Morning America,” Dr. Jeff Gardere, a psychologist [who] does a lot of TV … even with “Real Housewives,” and Dr. Cedric Alexander endorsed it. He’s a psychologist and also does a lot of public safety. So yes, it’s a brand-new book for Black women and men, head to toe.
When families first open this book, what should they read first?
That’s a very good question. Because, quite honestly, on page 15, at the very beginning of the book, I actually have a family medical history checklist because it’s important for us to know what we come to the table with. We need to know the grandma, granddaddy, my daddy, sisters, brothers, cousins, whatever. If they had heart disease, if they had diabetes, if they have certain cancers, if they have sickle cell, if they have multiple sclerosis, so I have all that at the beginning of the book.
So, we will check your family history. Then, at the end of the book, I have a personal checklist. … It’s important for people to know the family history so you know where you’re starting, what you’re already at risk from just by being born into your family, and then gain more information in the book and talking to your doctor.
