Larry Adelman & Rachel Poulain

"Unnatural Causes" - The Plight of Poor Americans

"Unnatural Causes," produced by Larry Adelman and Rachel Poulain for the documentary film center California Newsreel, is a four-hour series uncovering findings that suggest there is much more to health than bad habits, healthcare or unlucky genes. The social circumstances in which people are born, live, and work can actually disrupt their physiology as much as germs and viruses. It's no surprise that poor Americans die on average almost six years earlier than the rich. Evidence suggests that more equitable social policies, secure living-wage jobs, affordable housing, racial justice, good schools, community empowerment and family supports are health issues just as critical as diet, smoking and exercise.

Filmmakers Larry Adelman and Rachel Poulain talk about "Unnatural Causes," a documentary on how ethnicity, cultural heritage and stress all contribute to lower life expectancy.

Christopher Springmann

11 / 18 / 2011