PBS’s “NOVA” tackles a critical and timely issue this Wednesday with “Critical Condition: Health in Black America.” This special feature-length documentary, directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Stanley Nelson, takes a hard look at the dramatic health disparities between Black and White Americans. This isn’t just about statistics; it’s about the human stories behind them.
Why do Black Americans experience significantly higher rates of high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease? Nelson investigates the historical and social factors that contribute to this ongoing health crisis, exploring how discrimination can have a profound impact on biology and even DNA.
The documentary confronts the lingering effects of pseudoscientific beliefs about race that continue to distort modern medical practices, as “Critical Condition” underlines the science that confirms there are no real genetic variations between races. “NOVA: Critical Condition: Health in Black America” airs Wednesday, April 30 at 9:00 PM ET on PBS.
