Often the spokesperson for the family was the father or the oldest member of the family. This person was one who had probably been nurtured for this role from the time they were a child. Given many opportunities to act on the family's behalf was the way this person had been trained to take the role as leader of the family.

This person may be a key person to interact with during an office visit with an African-American elder if there are major health decisions to be made or if there's noncompliance in a health care regime that has been prescribed.

Copyright 2000