New Book “Erasing Historical Invisibility” Calls for a Bold New Path Toward a Compassionate World
Author Hector G. Balcazar, MS, PhD, blends storytelling, history, and a lifetime of public health work to present a transformative vision for humanity’s future.
August 2025 — In Erasing Historical Invisibility: Creating a Compassionate World, public health leader and social justice advocate Hector G. Balcazar, MS, PhD, offers a compelling call to action for humanity to evolve beyond its historical patterns of conquest, war, and division. Through a unique blend of historical analysis, spiritual insight, and poetic reflection, Dr. Balcazar challenges readers to reimagine the “recipe” that has shaped our collective reality—and to help create a more compassionate, inclusive world.
Building on themes introduced in his first book,No Wonder! The Art of Creating a New World, Dr. Balcazar’s latest work examines the roots of human suffering and inequality through the lens of invisibility—those people and communities who are overlooked, marginalized, or forgotten by dominant systems. Drawing on examples from the Roman Empire, Mexico, and the United States, the book explores how centuries of conquest have normalized social and spiritual disconnection.
Now retired in Mexico after a 36-year academic career in public health, Dr. Balcazar’s work is inspired by a deep love for humanity and nature. His Baháʼí-inspired sanctuary, Refugio del Resplandor, serves as a symbol throughout the book. Each chapter includes original poetry and photographs from this spiritual garden, grounding the text in reflection and renewal.
Aimed at adult readers interested in history, social policy, spiritual development, and global justice, Erasing Historical Invisibility presents a timely and urgent message. As war, displacement, and environmental collapse dominate headlines, Balcazar encourages readers to reject the “old recipe” of power and division and embrace a new path forward—one rooted in mutuality, solidarity, and elevated consciousness.
“This book is for anyone tired of systems that fail the most vulnerable,” says Dr. Balcazar. “We need new frameworks to dismantle invisibility and foster collective spiritual maturity.”
Erasing Historical Invisibility: Creating a Compassionate World is available now.
Dr. Hector G. Balcazar is a respected academic, former university dean, and lifelong advocate for public health equity. His work elevates the role of Community Health Workers and emphasizes the power of human connection in building a more just world.
New Spanish Edition “¡NO ES DE EXTRAÑAR! – El Arte de Crear un Nuevo Mundo” Expands the Transformative Vision of Public Health Leader Héctor G. Balcázar, MS, PhD
December 2025 — Renowned public health scientist Héctor G. Balcázar, MS, PhD, announces the release of the Spanish-language edition of his acclaimed memoir, ¡NO ES DE EXTRAÑAR! – El Arte de Crear un Nuevo Mundo. This vibrant, deeply personal work—originally published in English as No Wonder: The Art of Creating a New World—blends life experience, academic discovery, and an inspiring call to build more just and compassionate communities.
This new publication also serves as thesequel to Dr. Balcázar’s earlier Spanish-language book,Borrando la Invisibilidad Histórica: Creando un Mundo Compasivo, where he explores humanity’s wounds and the collective path toward healing. In ¡NO ES DE EXTRAÑAR!, Dr. Balcázar extends that vision, offering further reflection, storytelling, and actionable insight rooted in decades of public health leadership.
Raised in Mexico City and educated at Cornell University, Dr. Balcázar built an extensive academic career across five major U.S. universities, focusing his research on Latino and Mexican American health, community health workers, and bicultural family dynamics. With more than 180 publications—including 103 peer-reviewed scientific articles—he is widely respected as a leader in research, education, and community-based health initiatives.
Now available for the first time in Spanish,¡NO ES DE EXTRAÑAR! invites Spanish-speaking readers into an intimate journey through three defining chapters of Dr. Balcázar’s life and work:
Part 1 explores his immigrant family story, formative years in Mexico City, and his academic path culminating at Cornell, where he discovered the powerful intersection of science and social justice.
Part 2 highlights his groundbreaking work with community health workers and innovative strategies for community transformation and health equity.
Part 3 introduces the forward-looking concept of the “community spiritual worker,” a new actor in building healthier, more unified societies.
Motivated by a desire to bring hope to underserved communities, Dr. Balcázar reflects on the realities of “human invisibility”—the individuals and families who have been unseen, neglected, or pushed to the margins. Through vivid storytelling rooted in two cultures, rich traditions, food, poetry, music, and decades of academic and community practice, he invites readers to imagine—and co-create—a more compassionate world.
Now retired and living in Mexico with his wife, Dr. Balcázar continues to find inspiration in their botanical garden and Bahá’í-inspired spiritual retreat, Refugio del Resplandor. This new Spanish edition stands as both a tribute to the resilience of underserved communities and an accessible resource for public health professionals, community leaders, scholars, and readers seeking a story of purpose, transformation, and hope.
¡NO ES DE EXTRAÑAR! – El Arte de Crear un Nuevo Mundo is now available in Spanish across major retailers.
La nueva edición en español “¡NO ES DE EXTRAÑAR! – El Arte de Crear un Nuevo Mundo” expande la visión transformadora del líder en salud pública Héctor G. Balcázar, MS, PhD
Diciembre de 2025 — El reconocido científico de la salud pública Héctor G. Balcázar, MS, PhD, anuncia el lanzamiento de la edición en español de su aclamada obra autobiográfica, ¡NO ES DE EXTRAÑAR! – El Arte de Crear un Nuevo Mundo. Este vibrante y profundamente personal trabajo—publicado originalmente en inglés como No Wonder: The Art of Creating a New World—entreteje experiencia de vida, descubrimiento académico y un inspirador llamado a construir comunidades más justas y compasivas.
Esta nueva publicación también funciona como secuela de su anterior libro en español, Borrando la Invisibilidad Histórica: Creando un Mundo Compasivo, donde explora las heridas de la humanidad y el camino colectivo hacia la sanación. En ¡NO ES DE EXTRAÑAR!, el Dr. Balcázar amplía esa visión mediante reflexiones, relatos y propuestas concretas fundamentadas en décadas de liderazgo en salud pública.
Criado en la Ciudad de México y formado académicamente en la Universidad de Cornell, el Dr. Balcázar desarrolló una extensa carrera académica en cinco principales universidades de Estados Unidos, centrando su investigación en la salud de comunidades latinas y mexicoamericanas, los trabajadores comunitarios de la salud y las dinámicas familiares biculturales. Con más de 180 publicaciones, incluidas 103 artículos científicos arbitrados, es ampliamente reconocido como líder en investigación, educación e iniciativas comunitarias de salud.
Disponible por primera vez en español, ¡NO ES DE EXTRAÑAR! invita a los lectores hispanohablantes a un viaje íntimo a través de tres capítulos fundamentales de la vida y obra del Dr. Balcázar:
Parte 1 explora la historia de su familia inmigrante, sus años formativos en la Ciudad de México y su trayectoria académica culminada en Cornell, donde descubrió el poderoso cruce entre la ciencia y la justicia social.
Parte 2 destaca su trabajo pionero con trabajadores comunitarios de la salud y estrategias innovadoras para la transformación comunitaria y la equidad en salud.
Parte 3 introduce el concepto visionario del “trabajador espiritual comunitario”, un nuevo actor en la construcción de sociedades más saludables y unificadas.
Motivado por un profundo deseo de llevar esperanza a comunidades desatendidas, el Dr. Balcázar reflexiona sobre las realidades de la “invisibilidad humana”—personas y familias que han permanecido sin ser vistas, ignoradas o marginadas. A través de relatos vívidos arraigados en dos culturas, tradiciones, gastronomía, poesía, música y décadas de práctica académica y comunitaria, invita a los lectores a imaginar—y co-crear—un mundo más compasivo.
Ya retirado y viviendo en México junto a su esposa, el Dr. Balcázar continúa encontrando inspiración en su jardín botánico y en su retiro espiritual de inspiración bahá’í, Refugio del Resplandor. Esta nueva edición en español se presenta como un homenaje a la resiliencia de las comunidades desatendidas y como un recurso accesible para profesionales de la salud pública, líderes comunitarios, académicos y lectores interesados en una narrativa de propósito, transformación y esperanza.
¡NO ES DE EXTRAÑAR! – El Arte de Crear un Nuevo Mundo ya está disponible en español en los principales distribuidores.
Hector Balcazar 