CONTENTS
On the Ball
Check out our exclusive interview with WNBA basketball star Candice Wiggins, who discusses why empathy for people living with HIV is key to ending stigma.
5
editor’s letter
9
buzz
Real Health Tips
Want to lose weight, exercise smart, eat right, find good health care, boost nutrition, sleep better or just get healthy? For tips, click on “Health Basics A-Z” on the realhealthmag.com home page.
Looking for Love?
Get relationship advice from RH blogger Jeff Carroll, “hip-hop’s first dating coach.”
Real Health Hair Center
How’s your hair health? Visit the RH Hair Center to catch up on the latest news and trends to keep your tresses in tip-top shape.
Digital Real Health
Read Real Health magazine online exactly as it appears in print. Go to realhealthmag.com/ digital to view the current issue and the entire Smart + Strong digital library.
13
Unemployed, uninsured and sick
Does your salon put you at risk of hepatitis?; living with HIV and kidney disease; uncontrolled HIV can cause headaches; cleansing regimens: healthy or not?; breaking through mental health care barriers; the truth behind the vitamin scare
16 COVER STORY
beauty essentials
Actress Queen Latifah doesn’t base her body image on what others think of her size.
20
back to the land
24
hiv r&r
The African Heritage Diet Pyramid stresses the traditional foods of the black diaspora.
12
fitness
13
nutrition
28
tangled thoughts
15
sex
32
thoughts
Get a workout boost with music; when to go to—or skip—the gym
Organic vs. conventional produce; eat these for healthy hair, skin and nails; all-natural sugar substitutes
Self-reported sexual behavior is not always reliable; Ask the Sexpert
Summer camps can provide some kids with a respite from HIV-related discrimination and stigma.
The natural hair movement has generated a great debate about self-esteem and black identity.
Ways to maintain a healthy work-life balance
Contributor Question of the Month How do you mentally prepare for the spring season? Spring is all about fresh starts. I clean out my closets, mop my floors and reorganize my files. Plus, I add extra lunges, push-ups and crunches to my workout routine so I can feel good in my new clothes. —Katie Karlson
reach out & click!
At realhealthmag.com, you can read more articles; access exclusive, online-only special reports; meet other health-minded black singles; and subscribe ($9.97 for four quarterly issues; you can also call 800.973.2376). Plus, sign up for the Real Health email newsletter to get the latest black health news!
(COVER) KEITH MAJOR; (WIGGINS) COURTESY OF KAISER FAMILY FOUNDATION/VIGILANTE; (CARROLL) COURTESY OF JEFF CARROLL; (ILLUSTRATION) ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/CATHERINE LANE; (VITAMINS) DREAMSTIME.COM/CHARLOTTE LAKE; (TOMATO) DREAMSTIME.COM/LERTSNIM; (WOMAN) DREAMSTIME.COM/KALEENAKATT; (KARLSON) COURTESY OF KATIE KARLSON
this month on REALHEALTHMAG.COM
28
11