{"id":6748,"date":"2020-03-02T12:10:40","date_gmt":"2020-03-02T17:10:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goodwin.edu\/enews\/?p=6748"},"modified":"2024-12-17T17:11:47","modified_gmt":"2024-12-17T22:11:47","slug":"public-health-documentaries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goodwin.edu\/enews\/public-health-documentaries\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Public Health Documentaries Students Don’t Want to Miss"},"content":{"rendered":"

In 2020, we\u2019re currently facing an array of nationwide public health epidemics<\/a>: drug overdose, obesity, food safety, heart disease, mental illness, pollution, and chronic stress are just a few. It is the job of public health professionals \u2013 such as health educators, community health workers, and epidemiologists \u2014 to research these matters and develop strategies for improving the health of our nation.<\/p>\n

If you are interested in topics such as nutrition, mental health, or chronic disease\u2014and interested in finding solutions\u2014a career in public health might be for you. If you are interested in learning more about these subjects to start, these five public health documentaries may also be for you.<\/p>\n

Goodwin University has rounded up some of the most distinguished, discussed, and debated public health documentaries of our time. To get a feel for America\u2019s current state of public health, or to get inspired in your career, just turn on the TV and settle in.<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>Heal (2017)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Directed by Kelly Noonan Gores, Heal <\/em>is a profound documentary that explores the human ability to heal. It follows three chronically ill patients who are on a healing journey, after being diagnosed with high-stake conditions like stage 4 cancer. The film also connects with several leading scientists, physicians, and spiritual teachers who share their perspectives on the healing process \u2013 with one consistent message: Every organ in the human body has the ability to heal itself.<\/p>\n

Today, Americans are chronically stressed. And stress, over time, takes a great toll on the body\u2014it can cause exhaustion, weakened immunity, heart problems, stomach issues, insomnia, and even mental health disorders, to name a few. Stress can make people sick. It can make those who are sick even sicker. But stress is largely a state of mind. This health documentary further investigates how stress disrupts a person\u2019s ability to heal, and how the mind and body are connected in the healing process.<\/p>\n

Lastly, Heal <\/em>explores the current state of the healthcare system in America. It delves into what America is doing wrong, and offers way we can improve health and healthcare in our communities \u2013 a great topic of interest for aspiring public health professionals.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>One Nation Under Stress (2019)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

While Heal <\/em>touches on the impact of stress on our minds, One Nation Under Stress <\/em>examines the impact that stress is having on the greater American population\u2014and our life expectancy as a whole. This HBO documentary follows a neurosurgeon and investigative journalist, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, as he explores just why<\/em> we\u2019re experiencing so much stress today. He investigates how stress affects the brain, body, behavior, and the long-term consequences of chronic stress on the nation\u2019s public health.<\/p>\n

Gupta goes even further to study how stress is contributing to some of the most common causes of death in America today, such as drug overdose, liver disease, and suicide \u2013 all of which are contributing to an increasing mortality rate. Gupta speaks with healthcare professionals, neuroscientists, public health professionals, and several epidemiologists to get to the root of America\u2019s stress epidemic.<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>Take Your Pills (2018)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The United States is facing a prescription drug epidemic. Not only are prescription painkillers widely misused, but so are stimulant pills like Adderall and Ritalin. In fact, Take Your Pills <\/em>calls Adderall \u201cthe drug of our time.\u201d Why? Because the drug is legal, widely accepted, relatively safe, and produces positive experiences for its users (despite its risk of addiction).<\/p>\n

This eye-opening documentary, directed by Alison Klayman, explores the controversial dynamic of prescription drug use and misuse \u2013 the benefits, and even more significantly, the risks. It dives into the pervasive acceptance of stimulants like Adderall, which are now being prescribed at epidemic levels to treat ADD, ADHD, and other disabilities in America.<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>The Mind Explained (2019)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Mind, Explained <\/em>is a limited Netflix series \u2013 narrated by award-winning actor Emma Stone \u2013 that investigates the complexities of the human brain. It delves into topics such as dreaming, memory, and anxiety, providing explanations as well as solutions for improving these various mental states. Have you ever wondered, \u201cWhy do we dream?\u201d \u201cHow do psychedelic drugs affect the mind?\u201d or, \u201cWhy am I so anxious all the time?\u201d The Mind, Explained <\/em>has episodes with answers for each.<\/p>\n

If you enjoyed The Mind, Explained ,<\/em>you may also enjoy\u00a0 some of these other \u201cExplained\u201d public health documentaries available on Netflix<\/a>:<\/p>\n