The Unnatural Causes: Film Analysis

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In the Unnatural Causes film, UC Berkley Professor and Epidemiologist, Leonard Syme, states that an important component of overall health is the “ability to influence the events that impinge on your life,” or another words, the means by which you are able to effectively manage the stressors in your life will greatly impact your health (2015). It is common knowledge that stress can negatively impact your health and the film points out that chronic stress affects the body by increasing cortisol levels, heart rate, blood pressure, circulating glucose levels and decreases the immune system’s response. All of this increases the risks of diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic illnesses (Smith, director, 2015). If we have power, control and …show more content…

One point in the film shows Corey and his wife discussing the high incidents of murders in their neighborhood, from stabbing, strangulation, to gunshots, all in close proximity to their house (2015). To ensure his safety in this neighborhood, he must be at a constant heightened level of vigilance which creates chronic stress and it is not surprising that Corey has high blood pressure (Smith, director, 2015).
Unfortunately, this is the neighborhood he can afford. He and his wife both work full-time, combined making approximately $45,000, and are just barely able to pay their basic bills. They can not afford any luxuries and discuss that the only conceivable way to start a savings account would mean one of them would have to get a second job (Smith, director, 2015).
Conversely, we see Jim Taylor, a CEO, with obvious wealth, power and control (Smith, director, 2015). Jim’s position as CEO is understandably extremely stressful, but he is empowered to make decisions and has control and access to a substantial amount of resources. Like Corey, Jim also has high demands, however Jim has high control, which makes all the difference (Smith, director,

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