- The Business of Being Born (2008)
- The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (2017)
- Do No Harm: The Opioid Epidemic (2019)
- The Waiting Room (2012)
- The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz (2014)
- The Bleeding Edge (2018)
- The Human Genome Project (2003)
- The Vaccine War (2010)
- The Truth About Cancer: A Global Quest (2015)
- The Invisible Patients (2016)
In an era where data is king, the medical field is no exception. These documentaries delve into the intricate world of medical data, showcasing how it's collected, analyzed, and used to revolutionize healthcare. From groundbreaking research to ethical dilemmas, these films provide a comprehensive look at how data shapes our health and well-being, making them an essential watch for anyone interested in the intersection of technology, medicine, and ethics.

The Business of Being Born (2008)
Description: While focusing on childbirth, this documentary uses data to critique the medicalization of birth, advocating for more natural, data-informed birthing practices.
Fact: Directed by Ricki Lake, who also shares her own childbirth experiences in the film.


The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (2017)
Description: This film tells the story of Henrietta Lacks, whose cells were taken without her knowledge and have been used in countless medical breakthroughs. It raises ethical questions about consent and data ownership.
Fact: Oprah Winfrey stars as Deborah Lacks, Henrietta's daughter, in this HBO film adaptation.


Do No Harm: The Opioid Epidemic (2019)
Description: Examining the opioid crisis, this documentary uses data to trace the epidemic's roots and the medical community's response, highlighting the role of data in public health policy.
Fact: The film features interviews with doctors, patients, and policy makers.


The Waiting Room (2012)
Description: This documentary captures a day in an Oakland emergency room, using real-time data to illustrate the challenges of healthcare delivery and the impact of policy decisions.
Fact: The film was shot over a 24-hour period, providing an unfiltered look at emergency care.


The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz (2014)
Description: While not exclusively about medical data, this documentary touches on Aaron Swartz's efforts to make scientific research freely available, which has implications for medical data accessibility.
Fact: Aaron Swartz co-founded Reddit and was involved in the development of RSS.


The Bleeding Edge (2018)
Description: This documentary investigates the medical device industry, focusing on how data from devices can be misused or misunderstood, affecting patient safety.
Fact: The film was directed by Kirby Dick, known for his investigative documentaries.


The Human Genome Project (2003)
Description: This documentary chronicles the monumental effort to map the entire human genome, exploring how this data has transformed medical research and personalized medicine.
Fact: The project was completed ahead of schedule and under budget, a rare feat for such large-scale scientific endeavors.


The Vaccine War (2010)
Description: A deep dive into the controversy surrounding vaccines, this documentary examines the data behind vaccine safety and efficacy, highlighting the importance of public health data.
Fact: The film features interviews with both proponents and critics of vaccination, providing a balanced view.


The Truth About Cancer: A Global Quest (2015)
Description: This series explores alternative cancer treatments, often questioning conventional medical data and practices, sparking debate on the validity of different data sources.
Fact: The series has been both praised for its alternative perspectives and criticized for promoting unverified treatments.


The Invisible Patients (2016)
Description: Focused on mental health, this documentary uses patient data to shed light on the often overlooked issues in psychiatric care, advocating for better data collection and analysis.
Fact: The film was produced by Patrick Kennedy, a former U.S. Congressman who has been open about his own mental health struggles.
