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Extra Life: A Short History of Living Longer

Documentaries

Factual: Health & Wellbeing

Factual: History

Factual: Science & Nature: Science & Technology

The science and medical innovations that conquered some of the world’s deadliest diseases.

Documentary series about the science and medical innovations that conquered some of the world’s deadliest diseases.

Series 1

BBC Four HD

Steven Johnson

David Olusoga

Extra Life: A Short History of Living Longer: Series 1: Behaviour

Factual

Behaviour

BBC Four - Extra Life: A Short History of Living Longer, Series 1, Behaviour

How acting upon public messaging can have a significant impact on the spread of disease.

Documentary series about the effect of medicine on life expectancy. How the readiness of communities to engage with public messaging can have a significant impact on the spread of disease.

This episode considers how, during a health crisis, the readiness of communities to engage with – and act upon – advice can have a significant impact on the spread of disease.

The simple act of handwashing to preserve hygiene, which began in a Viennese maternity ward and was also advocated by Florence Nightingale, saved millions of lives. Social distancing, face masks and lockdowns were used to combat the Spanish flu over 100 years ago, with varying degrees of success, while grassroots campaigning on ‘safe behaviour’ was vital in the early days of the HIV epidemic and the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone.

For public bodies, getting the message right is a key factor in helping to shift behaviour and save lives.

Extra Life: A Short History of Living Longer: Series 1

Knowledge, arts, music and culture from the UK and the world.

BBC Four reflects arts, music and culture with an ambitious range of intellectually and culturally enriching programmes, taking an expert and in-depth approach to its subjects.

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Extra Life: A Short History of Living Longer

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