Rx for Survival - PBS series

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http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/rxforsurvival/

This is a new series on public television and it's incredibly good! - tonight they covered the development of vaccines and antibiotics as well as disease eradication programs throughout the world.

Series premiers Nov 1-3, and they usuallly do re-runs. Check your local listings!

This is a very interesting and educational series.

-t

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Tuesday - Nov 1
9pmET PBS RX for survival - Disease Warriors part1 (2 hours)

Before there was an understanding of infectious disease, few weapons were available to fight it. Disease Warriors chronicles the groundbreaking work of early researchers, such as the famed scientist Louis Pasteur, who unmasked germs as the source of illness. Pasteur went on to develop a rabies vaccine — a great scientific triumph. Today, vaccines have made huge strides against epidemics, conquering smallpox and bringing the global eradication of polio within reach. But the world still faces major challenges in getting basic vaccines to those who still need them, and in creating new ones to combat modern nemeses, like AIDS.


Wednesday - Nov 2

9pmET PBS RX for survival - Rise of the Superbugs part2 (2 hours)
It's difficult to imagine a world without medicines — and yet, before the twentieth century there weren't any. The discovery of the very first antibiotic, penicillin, and the subsequent development of more "wonder drugs" transformed the face of modern medicine. Rise of the Superbugs chronicles these historic successes, as well as the growing threat posed by new strains of germs, such as tuberculosis and staph, that are resistant to our best antibiotics. Are our strongest medicines becoming obsolete, and can we develop new drugs in time to replace them?


Thursday - Nov 3

9pmET PBS RX for survival – Delivering the Goods part 3 (2 hours)
At the dawn of the 21st century, we can prevent, treat or cure most of the deadliest diseases known to humankind — and yet millions die needlessly every year because the benefits of modern medicine and public health fail to reach them. What are the obstacles to providing care to populations in need? From the villages of the Gambia to the cities and towns of Thailand, from the sun-scorched refugee camps of Chad to the teeming streets of Bangladesh — this episode chronicles innovative health programs and charismatic leaders who, against all odds, are Delivering the Goods to millions of individuals — and inspiring a new vision for the future of global health.