Microbirth

Resource Information

The work Microbirth represents a distinct intellectual or artistic creation found in Boston University Libraries. This resource is a combination of several types including: Work, Moving Image, Visual Materials.

Label

Microbirth

Contributor

• Harman, Toni
• Kanopy
• Wakeford, Alex

Filmmaker

• Harman, Toni
• Wakeford, Alex

Provider

• Kanopy

Subject

• Medicine
• Midwifery
• Nursing
• Electronic resources

Summary

Winner of Grand Prix award at the 2014 Life Sciences Film festival. Microbirth is a 60 minute cutting-edge science documentary offering an overview of the origins of the human microbiome and its significance for lifelong health. Narrated by voice-over, illustrated by animation and live-action visuals, and featuring interviews with twelve professors from leading academic institutions including Cornell University, New York University and Imperial College London, Microbirth delves into cutting edge science regarding the origins of the human microbiome, the bacterial ecosystem that makes up 90% of cells in our bodies. Microbirth investigates the microscopic events happening during childbirth and how modern birth practices could be interfering with the seeding of the baby's microbiome and possibly even connected to epigenetic effects with consequences for lifelong health. In particular, the film reveals a link between mode of birth and a significantly increased risk of children developing asthma, type 1 diabetes, celiac disease and obesity. These non-communicable diseases are all linked to the immune system. The film points out this is a serious global health concern especially in the light of predictions from the Harvard School of Public Health and the World Economic Forum that the rising tide of non-communicable disease globally could bankrupt healthcare systems by the year 2030. The science behind Microbirth is well represented at major research and clinical conferences including the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI). Microbirth features the following academics: RODNEY DIETERT, Professor of Immunotoxicology, Cornell University MARTIN BLASER, Director of the Human Microbiome Program and Professor of Translational Medicine, New York University MARIA GLORIA DOMINGUEZ BELLO, Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, New York University PHILIP STEER, Emeritus Professor of Obstetrics, Imperial College London NEENA MODI, Professor of Neonatal Medicine, Imperial College London MATTHEW HYDE, Research Associate in the Section of Neonatal Medicine, Imperial College London SUE CARTER, Professor, Behavioral Neurobiologist, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill ALEECA BELL, Assistant Professor, Dept of Women, Children and Family Health Science, University of Illinois at Chicago STEFAN ELBE, Professor of International Relations, University of Sussex and Director of Centre for Global Health Policy ANITA KOZYRSKYJ, Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta and Co-Principal Investigator, Synergy in Microbiota Research (SyMBIOTA) JACQUELYN TAYLOR, Associate Professor of Nursing, University of Yale HANNAH DAHLEN, Professor of Midwifery, University of Western Sydney LESLEY PAGE, Professor of Midwifery, King's College London and President, Royal College of Midwives

Cataloging source

VDU

Characteristic

videorecording

Date time place

Originally produced by Alto Films in 2014

Language note

In English

Runtime

59

Technique

live action