This book makes a fascinating comparison of the health policies in Barbados and Grenada during the 1979-1983 period as they relate to working -class women. After analyzing the state in capitalist societies through a review of the literature, Dr. Rodney shifts her focus to the state in the periphery, and the evolution of public health care systems (PHC) there. She seeks to determine how PHC systems in both states were influenced by changing regimes during a period of political transition, and discover whether the government sufficiently caters to the health care needs of women. This book gets to the core of socio-economic health care policies in Barbados and Grenada, revealing their strengths and weaknesses, and includes well researched suggestions for improvements. Reflecting the author's personal and professional interests, the comparison brings a humanist quality to the study of government policy. Personal interviews with the women of the region, professionals, and administrators, combined with an in-depth look at history and state health policy, make this the most comprehensive study of its kind.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
PATRICIA RODNEY is the assistant director, Master of Public Health Program, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Rodney has worked in the areas of public health promotion and education, women, health and development, adult education and literacy in the Caribbean, East Africa and Canada. She has also edited and contributed to books, articles, and reviews in these subject areas.

CATEGORY
Health, Social and Women's Studies/CARIBBEAN