Unnatural Causes

Synopsis

This 7-part television series, broadcast by PBS, was conceived as part of an ambitious communications and public engagement campaign conducted with leading public health, policy and community-based organisations in the US. The programmes investigate the extent of the US’s glaring socio-economic and racial inequities in health, and search for their root causes. The four-hour series crisscrosses the nation, uncovering startling new findings that health is affected by social circumstances as much as bad habits, health care, or unlucky genes. Individual programmes are: IN SICKNESS AND IN WEALTH (56 min.) - how does the distribution of power, wealth and resources shape opportunities for health?; WHEN THE BOUGH BREAKS - (29 min.) - can racism become embedded in the body and affect birth outcomes?; BECOMING AMERICAN (29 min.) - Latino immigrants arrive healthy, so why don’t they stay that way?; BAD SUGAR (29 min.)- What are the connections between diabetes, oppression, and empowerment in two Native American communities?; PLACE MATTERS (29 min.) -WHy is your street address such a strong predictor of your health?; COLLATERAL DAMAGE (29 min.) - how do Marshall Islanders pay for globalization and U.S. military policy with their health?; NOT JUST A PAYCHECK (30 min.) - why do layoffs take such a huge toll in Michigan but cause hardly a ripple in Sweden?

Language

English

Country

United States

Year of release

2009

Notes

The website http://www.unnaturalcauses.org/ is specifically devoted to the campaign for health equality and issues raised by the series

Subjects

Social Studies; Health Education; Medical sciences

Keywords

public health; social conditions; United States of America; social issues; health

Distribution Formats

Type

DVD

Format

Region 1 NTSC

Price

$295.00

Availability

Sale

Duration/Size

240 minutes

Year

2009

Production Company

Name

Vital Pictures

Distributor

Name

California Newsreel

Email

contact@newsreel.org

Web

http://www.newsreel.org External site opens in new window

Phone

+1 877 811 7495

Fax

+1 802 846 1850

Address

Order Dept
PO Box 2284
South Burlington
VT 05407-2284
USA

Notes

California Newsreel produces and distributes documentaries on social justice issues. The range of films promotes the advancement of racial justice and diversity, the study of African American life and history as well as African culture and politics. A recently added thematic focus is the global economy, with an emphasis on the international division of labour.