How Netflix Documentaries are Shaping Public Awareness of Health Issues

In an era where streaming services dominate the entertainment landscape, Netflix has emerged as a powerful platform not just for fictional content but also for documentary filmmaking that raises awareness of crucial health issues.

One notable example is the Netflix documentary Big Vape, which delves into the controversial rise of e-cigarettes and their impact on public health. As these documentaries reach millions of viewers worldwide, they play a significant role in educating the public, sparking conversations, and even influencing policy changes related to health.

The Power of Visual Storytelling

Netflix documentaries should use visuals to engage viewers and explain health issues in an easily understandable way. In contrast to news articles or academic papers, documentaries tell a story that is usually entertaining and, quite often, emotionally persuasive. This format lets viewers feel the film’s content in their hearts and minds, thereby making a strong impression.

Visual storytelling is quite valuable for health because it can reveal what numbers and figures usually hide from the public. For instance, the documentary “What the Health” shows people’s narratives and interviews with professionals that explain the adverse effects of consuming processed foods and the positive impact of a plant-based diet. Remarkable references to real-life events and professionals’ voices turn the topic into an easily understandable and appealing issue that can make the audience change their perception of food choices.

Raising Awareness and Prompting Action

Netflix documentaries significantly impact active discussions and actions by the audience. Due to Netflix’s expansion and popularity, the documentaries can introduce or at least discuss previously less-known and heard health problems. The series “The Social Dilemma” was released at the right time and triggered significant debates about social media and the psychological harm associated with using social networks. 

The documentary detailed the prevalence of uncontrolled social network usage, advertising addiction to them, and the impact of social media on people’s lives, which caused many people, including myself, to reconsider their use of social networks and demand higher ethical standards and regulation of technology companies.

The Netflix documentary ‘The Bleeding Edge’ also sheds light on the potential dangers of some medical technologies. It can be argued that by presenting the audience with numerous instances of insufficient testing and regulatory measures in the sphere of medical devices, the documentary contributed to increasing the public and political awareness of the problem in question and stimulated the process of further investigation of the issue in the industry.

Shaping Policies and Public Health Outcomes

As much as documentaries on Netflix can educate, entertain, persuade, and even change people’s perceptions, they can bring about policy change and propel positive health campaigns. In “13th”, a documentary on race, justice, and mass incarceration by Ava DuVernay, the failed criminal justice system is revealed to be especially vicious to African Americans. Due to its gripping narrative and the rather convincing arguments, the show evoked discussions at various instances of the government and among activist organizations, and thus, contributed to the constant progress in the criminal justice system reform.

Like health-related documentaries, the ones in question have also spurred policy change. The movie Rotten, which focuses on the issues of the food industry, has become a lens that has opened society’s eyes to matters concerning food safety, sustainability in the food industry, and ethical practices. This may result in consumer pressure on organizations to adopt more appropriate measures and pressure on other regulatory authorities to set higher standards.

Case Study: Big Vape: Juul and the Vaping Epidemic

A recent and poignant example of a Netflix documentary influencing public perception is “Big Vape: Juul. This program explores the impact of Juul, which is a leading e-cigarette company, and its contribution to the vaping crisis, especially to the youth. 

Both the former employees and the public health professionals, as well as families of individuals who have become ill or have died from the use of vaping products, in the documentary contribute to portraying the details of how aggressive marketing coupled with inadequate regulation has resulted in the use of vaping products among youths.

The release of “Big Vape: Juul” has attracted intensive media attention as well as discussions and concerns regarding the effects of e-cigarettes on people’s health. It has raised awareness of how corporations have been employing strategies to appeal to young people and how there is a dire need for the government to put new measures in place. Therefore, the documentary goes beyond informing the audience but also contributes to formulating health policies that may help prevent the Vape epidemic.

Conclusion

The Netflix documentaries have proved instrumental in creating awareness of key health concerns. With great appeal to viewers’ emotions, these documentaries captivate the audience, inspire discussions, and at times, can affect policies and prevalence rates. 

By bringing attention to underreported or complex topics, Netflix documentaries like “Big Vape: Juul” are part of the public’s educational outreach and contribution to the betterment of society. With the increasing popularity of streaming platforms, these cannot only affect society through awareness of health issues but also act as a source of advocacy.

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