Modern life: How It Affects Our Health and Well-Being—Predict My Future: The Dunedin Longitudinal Study : DVD

Part of the Series : Predict My Future: The Dunedin Longitudinal Study

This episode of the Dunedin Longitudinal Study looks at the effects of modern life and aging. Study results reveal associations between cleanliness and increased asthma and allergies, poverty and long-term physiological damage, the physical effects of social isolation, and venule size and schizophrenia. Medical experts discuss the latest research and implications, and the future of the Dunedin Study.

Length: 45 minutes

ORDER CODE: BVL111677

ISBN: 978-1-68272-534-4

Copyright date: ©2015

Closed Captioned

Performance Rights

Prices include public performance rights.

Modern life: How It Affects Our Health and Well-Being: Introduction (01:35)
FREE PREVIEW
This segment orients viewers to the topic of genetics vs. environment. In the Dunedin Longitudinal Study, scientists followed 1,037 people for nearly 40 years.

Asthma Counts Rising (04:12)
Catriona McKenzie recalls her son Conrad Pietrzak's first asthma attack. Approximately 300 million people suffer from asthma. In the Dunedin Study, 15-18% of participants suffer from asthma. When immigrant families move to a developed nation, allergies and asthma increase.

Hygiene Hypothesis (03:45)
Children from large families, or who live on farms, or have pets are less likely to develop allergies; microbe exposure helps develop a healthy immune system. Reducing exposure to microorganisms and bacteria increases the risk of asthma and allergies.

Carmelite Monastery (02:27)
More than half of the world's population lives in urban areas. Sister Mariam and other nuns live away from society; she describes their lifestyle.

Social Isolation (03:19)
The Dunedin Study found that children who grew up lonely often became socially disadvantaged adults and experienced physical health risks.

Consequences of Social Isolation (01:59)
Primates that experience social isolation parallel human behaviors and biological responses. The Dunedin Study revealed that health problems isolated human adults experienced were not a result of lifestyle choices.

Vascular Circulation (03:11)
The Dunedin Study research represents the combined data of 40,000 years of human life. Retina photographs revealed that those with hypertension or schizophrenia had notably larger venules.

Schizophrenia (03:00)
Schizophrenia affects 1 in 100 people. The vascular theory states that oxygen flow toward the brain or toxin flow away from the brain is abnormal. Experts discuss what Dunedin Study results imply about the cause of schizophrenia and possible screenings.

Treating Schizophrenia (03:20)
Most countries spend 1.5-3% of total healthcare costs on schizophrenia. Experts discuss implications of the vascular theory on schizophrenia treatment and the retinal measure as a possible diagnostic tool for neurological disorders.

Disparity between Rich and Poor (03:19)
Bayview-Hunters Point is one of the poorest neighborhoods in the U.S.; disease and hospitalization rates are higher than neighboring cities. Experts see similar disparities in South Auckland, New Zealand. Life expectancy in less affluent neighborhoods is 7-11 years less.

Health and Wealth (02:46)
The Dunedin Study revealed that the health effects of growing up poor remained despite a person's rise to wealth. Poverty is a social and economic issue as well as a physiological condition; the stress of growing up poor leads to chronic inflammation.

Adversity Exposure Increases Inflammation Risks (02:57)
The Dunedin Study changed the way Dr. Nadine Burke Harris viewed her patients' medical problems. Children from poor or violent homes suffer stress that causes physiological damage. Experts reflect on the implication of the study results.

Dunedin Longitudinal Study Success (04:03)
Dr. Phil Silva is proud of the impact the study. On average, the study produced a new paper every two weeks for 40 years; hear statistics on study participants.

Dunedin Longitudinal Study and Aging (03:36)
Researches accumulated large amounts of data on study participants as they aged and studied the aging process. Experts reflect on the future of the study.

Credits: Modern life: How It Affects Our Health and Well-Being—Predict My Future: The Dunedin Longitudinal Study (00:54)
Credits: Modern life: How It Affects Our Health and Well-Being—Predict My Future: The Dunedin Longitudinal Study