The human race is under attack on two fronts. Since 1977, 30 brand-new pathogens have appeared, and 20 old adversaries have reemerged in nastier, drug-resistant versions. Bacteria, viruses, and parasites are engaging in a war in which humankind and microbe adapt to the other’s every move. This alarming two-part series chronicles this epic struggle, where nothing less than our very survival as a species is at stake. A Discovery Channel Production. 2- part series, 51 minutes each.
Copyright date: ©2002

With 1.5 billion people travelling by air each year, lethal tropical infections and pathogens we thought we had eradicated are hitching a ride. In this program, case studies of West Nile virus, Chagas disease, tuberculosis, and Hanta virus—only a ten-hour flight away from unsuspecting populations around the globe— illustrate the scope of the danger, while the doctors and health officials on the frontlines explain the battle. Interviews with Ben Beard, of the CDC; Deborah Asnis, M.D., infectious disease specialist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center; and Francis Drobniewski, of the U.K. Public Health Laboratory Service, are included, among others. A Discovery Channel Production. (51 minutes) Copyright date: ©2002

A two video set dealing with the topics of anaphylaxis and assisting the patient with medication. Videos include: Allergies / Anaphylaxis and Allergic Reactions: Assisting with Medication.

This program from The Doctor Is In studies the cases of three patients with Lou Gehrig’s disease. Expert medical commentary is provided by Lucie Bruijn, Ph.D., science director of the ALS Association, and Jeffery Cohen, M.D., a neurologist at Dartmouth- Hitchcock Medical Center. In addition, a family care provider talks about the challenges one faces in that role. Although there is currently no cure for ALS, it is only a matter of time before one is found as researchers continue to advance the frontiers of knowledge of neurological diseases. A Dartmouth- Hitchcock Medical Center Production. (29 minutes) Copyright date: ©2003

Beyond the boundaries of mainstream medicine are treatments that many claim have powerful healing properties. Produced in association with Skeptical Inquirer magazine, this intriguing program scrutinizes the principles behind acupuncture, magnet therapy, crystal therapy, homeopathy, therapeutic touch, and reiki as respected practitioners demonstrate their specialties and make their case. But at every turn, equally respected critics also have their say, making this video a particularly well balanced analysis of these popular treatment modalities. Is alternative medicine scientifically quantifiable? And, if it reduces suffering and promotes healing, does it matter? A Discovery Channel Production. (52 minutes) Copyright date: ©2002

Healthcare in America is arguably the best in the world, but only for those who can afford it. This penetrating four-part series from ABC News goes to the front lines of the healthcare crisis to take an unflinching look at a system that is itself in failing health. Heroic measures to prop the system up are also presented, as are some glimmers of hope for a solution—or at least the beginnings of one. 4-part series, 23 minutes each. Copyright date: ©2003 Closed Captioned

Antibiotics initially worked miracles, saving millions of lives. In just decades, many of the wonder drugs are ineffective. How did it happen? This program reports on a battle for survival between humans and microbes, providing a concise history of antibiotics, as well as tracing their decline in efficacy. Their overuse and misuse is examined in medicine, agriculture, and domestic cleaning products. Special attention is given to the world’s first case of vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or VRSA. Among those who discuss the issue are Dr. Richard Besser, director of the Centers for Disease Control’s national campaign to reduce anthe Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics.timicrobial resistance, and Dr. Stuart Levy, author of The Antibiotic Paradox and founder of the Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics.(53 minutes) Copyright date: ©2003

The majority of asthma’s unsuspecting victims come from racial minorities. This program details how this chronic disease adversely affects African-American and Latino populations in the U.S. Using case studies of four young people, plus personal accounts from actor Louis Gossett, rapper Coolio, and Olympic athlete Jackie Joyner-Kersee, viewers learn what asthma is, see what triggers it, and review a game plan for leading a healthy life. Five physicians are interviewed, including Jean Harley-Lopez, M.D., director of the USC Pediatric Asthma Disease Management Program. A Discovery Channel Production. (46 minutes) Copyright date: ©2003

Bob had been a lifelong athlete until knee trouble began to keep him off the basketball court. Like millions of aging but still active adults, he confronted the pain when it started restricting his daily activities, too. This program examines deterioration of the knee joint and the options for partial or total replacement when nonsurgical interventions fail to bring relief. Medical experts outline the basics of the procedure along with its risks, stressing the importance of sticking to a post- operative rehabilitation plan. In addition, a hiker discusses her decision to have surgery—now much less invasive than when the procedure was first developed—and how it eventually improved her life. (26 minutes) DVD is Subtitled

This program presents the best of the CLIO gold and silver winners for the year 2010. Entries include “Antiquing” and “Strolling” (Viagra), “Bird” (MTV), “Cinema 21:9” (Philips), “Destiny” (Axe), “Double Take” (Monster.com), “Going West” (New Zealand Book Council), “Invocation” (SOS Atlantic Forest Foundation), “Local Radio” (BBC), “Monkey” (Tierschutzbund German Animal Protection Federation), “New Kid” (Luvs Diapers), “PC Folders” and “Mac Folders” (UNICEF), “Pure Waters” (James Boag’s Draught), “Tag” (Nike), “The Life” (Microsoft Xbox 360 Halo 3: ODST), “Trigger Happy” (Canon Cameras), and more. Contains mature themes and nudity. (45 minutes)

In Ethiopia, fear of HIV has led to a stigma against those who carry it. This case study spotlights the heroic efforts of individuals and organizations such as Dawn of Hope, the Cheshire Foundation, Mekdim, and Save Your Generation to open a life-saving dialogue about the disease that includes community education on HIV transmission and prevention as well as counseling and care for those in HIV-related need. "This issue is knocking on everybody’s door," says Tsegaye, a young man who came out about his infection to open the eyes of his friends to the danger of unprotected sex. "Each of us must do our part." Contains discussions of condom use. (28 minutes) Copyright date: ©2003

Every day, thousands of people are diagnosed with some form of cancer—and every day, hundreds of people die from it. This FREDDIE Award winner considers a comprehensive screening and prevention program, with five case studies covering the breast, lung, prostate, colon, and skin. Smoking cessation and diet and nutrition are reviewed, with insightful comments by Dr. Moshe Shike, director of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Prevention and Wellness Center, and other specialists. A Discovery Channel Production. (51 minutes) Copyright date: ©2002

Over time the synergy of technology and skillful surgeons has made cataracts all but disappear—so much so that Dr. Richard Mackool, director of the Mackool Eye Institute and Laser Center at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary in New York City, says cataract surgery is "the most successful operation in the history of mankind." Along with Mackool, Dr. Kerry Solomon, director of the Magill Laser Center at the Medical University of South Carolina's Storm Eye Institute, assesses the risks associated with the procedure, examines the lens replacement options, and gives his thoughts on the future of lens and eye development. (28 minutes) Copyright date: ©2003 Closed Captioned

Very little in the physical world occurs without chemical reactions being involved. This program takes an in-depth look at five common products—soap, polystyrene, aluminum, paint, and car batteries—and explores the chemistry behind their manufacture and use. With the help of graphics and footage from inside manufacturing plants, the video reveals just how surface chemistry, redox chemistry, metals, and polymers play a part in everyday life. Viewable/printable educational resources are available online. (19 minutes) Copyright date: ©2009

Children’s Memorial is committed to treating the whole child, and quality- of-life is a major concern. But is it possible for kids to have a "normal" childhood and also cope with a serious illness? This program shows how children and teens at the Falk Brain Tumor Center, with the help of their families and doctors, are fighting to keep the joy alive. The overall impact of treatments on a patient’s body and spirit is considered, as is the insecurity often felt by long-term patients who, with their cancer in remission, are to be sent home. Oncologist Stewart Goldman is featured. (56 minutes) Copyright date: ©2002 Closed Captioned

Lillian, a four-year-old with autism, lives in a world all her own. Sixteen-year-old A.D.’s attention- deficit/hyperactivity disorder causes him to proudly proclaim that he does not love his parents anymore. Eleven-year-old Pamela’s five different diagnoses stand in the way of her being left alone with her brother. These children are examples of the more than 3 million in the country who have some type of mental and behavioral disorder. This intense program highlights how their lives, as well as the daily routines of their families, are an incessant struggle. Therapists from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and Center for Child Development and Research assert that with proper diagnosis and treatment, children and families can find a measured quality of life. A Discovery Channel Production. (46 minutes) Copyright date: ©2004