Book Reviews: Adele D Jones, Jacqueline A Padmore, Priya E Maharaj (eds), HIV-AIDS and Social Work Practice in the Caribbean: Theory, Issues and Innovation. Kingston, Jamaica: Ian Randle, 2009. 226 + xviii pp. ISBN 978 976 637 356 6. $US 24.95

This article presents the responses from frontline social work practitioners, administrators and educators in Trinidad to the recently published Global Agenda for Social Work and Social Development. In acknowledging the significance of the Global Agenda, it became apparent that there was a need to solicit and channel the views of the local practitioners on this declaration. This article is based on a study carried out by the social work unit of the University of the West Indies. The study was intended to facilitate the articulation of the perceptions of key constituents about the Global Agenda and to critically analyse and respond to the Global Agenda within the context of a developing region. This article draws on the data that were collected from a focus group discussion among key constituents in the profession of social work in Trinidad. The findings support the Global Agenda as culturally relevant to the social realities facing Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean region at this time. The prevailing view was that notwithstanding the responsibility to institutionalise the currency of the profession to influence social policy development on critical human rights and social justice issues, country-specific mandates and jurisdictions must be maintained as the primary determinants of social work practice, education and policy development. The potential value, applicability and advancement of the four commitments put forward in the Global Agenda are also highlighted.

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Book Reviews : Meyer, C. H., & Mattaini, M. A. (Eds.). (1995). The foundations of social work practice. Washington, DC: NASW Press. 310 pp., $34.95, ISBN 0-87101-237-5

Research on Social Work Practice ◽

10.1177/104973159600600208 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 263-264

Author(s):

Raymond J. Waller

Keyword(s):

Social Work ◽

Work Practice ◽

Social Work Practice ◽

Washington Dc

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Addressing the Inequality Epidemic

Critical Social Work ◽

10.22329/csw.v13i1.5846 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Elizabeth Bowen

Keyword(s):

Social Work ◽

Hiv Risk ◽

Health Care Access ◽

Work Practice ◽

The United States ◽

Social Work Practice ◽

Structural Factors ◽

Individual Level ◽

Hiv Aids ◽

Structural Inequalities

Globally, HIV risk and the health of HIV positive people are linked with structural inequalities, such as poverty, racism, and homophobia. This article summarizes key features of the structural approach to social work practice and applies the perspective to working with people affected by HIV/AIDS in the United States. Structural factors influencing HIV risk and health include housing, an individual-level factor; health care access, a community-level factor; and homophobia, a societal-level factor. Structural inequalities at each level are critical to understanding the context of HIV risk and should be assessed and addressed in social work practice in the field of HIV/AIDS. KEYWORDS: critical theory, HIV/AIDS, inequality, oppression, structural social work

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