Grown Woman Talk: Your Guide to Getting and Staying Healthy

“It’s time to talk openly and unapologetically about the common things that we all should know could happen in our bodies,” contends obstetrician gynecologist Malone in her spirited debut guide to how women over 50 can take control of their health. Offering scientific background on and advice for preventing Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and hypertension, among other illnesses, Malone explains that cardiovascular disease “is caused by the accumulation of damage to your blood vessels caused by cholesterol plaques, blood clots, chronic inflammation, and/or high blood pressure,” and recommends that patients exercise for 30 minutes five times per week and refrain from smoking to stave off the condition. Highlighting the health troubles faced by Black women, specifically, Malone explains how the “chronic stresses induced by systemic injustice steadily erodes the health of marginalized people” and notes that “Black women tend to have higher levels of stress hormones even when they do not self-report feeling stressed.” Frequent parenthetical references to thematically relevant songs distract, but Malone’s social insight elevates her advice, and the emphasis on advocating for oneself (“Don’t normalize discomfort. Demand to be heard, seen, and have your complaints addressed”) tackles an often-overlooked obstacle to receiving adequate treatment. It’s a robust primer on grappling with the health issues that come with aging. Agent: Gail Ross, WME. (Apr.)