Annually the films which best illustrate important health themes are nominated to win the HOME (Health Oriented Motion-picture Excellence) Academy Award. Since the universally known Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences which awards the Oscars does not have a category for the important themes of health/wellness/disease, the HOME Academy was created to recognize these films.
Since films are a vehicle for getting us to consider important aspects of our lives, these films dealing with health issues help focus our attention on prevention and treatment of problems that can challenge ourselves, our families and our friends. The images, performances and scripts of the nominated films initiate conversations which might otherwise not take place, and have helped us make decisions leading to healthier, longer and happier lives. So it is appropriate for us to honor the film-makers, and in so doing, further promote development of films with health themes in the future.
Past award winners have been:
· 2013 Dallas Buyers Club with Mathew McConaughey dealing with the issues of life-threatening illness, access to research drugs, and finding a good doctor.
· 2014 Still Alice with Julianne Moore and Alec Baldwin, illustrating the problems of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
· 2015 Concussion with Will Smith, raising awareness of concussion and chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
The following are the nominees for best health-themed motion picture of 2016 and have dealt with a variety of illnesses.
Manchester by the Sea, written and directed by Kenneth Lonergan and starring Casey Affleck with Michelle Williams, deals with several common problems. A brother develops heart disease and congestive heart failure at a young age and dies (relevant to the recent deaths of Carrie Fisher and George Michael as well as to many families in America). The principle actor is challenged by with grief, guilt, alcoholism and depression and must find a way to survive. Tip: if there is early-onset heart disease in your family, discuss prevention and screening with your physician. If you suffer from depression get prompt evaluation and treatment from your doctor.
Florence Foster Jenkins, screenplay by Nicholas Martin, directed by Stephen Frears and starring Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant, deals with the historically and even currently important illness syphilis (late effects are fortunately uncommon today) and sexually transmitted disease. Tip: if you are sexually active with multiple partners, discuss this with your physician and take steps to prevent (and if necessary treat) sexually transmitted diseases.
Deadpool, a surprising nominee, illustrates the theme of serious side effects of cancer therapy, specifically skin diseases caused by anticancer medications. Such dermatologic changes can be severe and/or chronic, and can be induced by numerous therapies (including stem cell or bone marrow transplant with graft versus host disease, Tarceva, Erbitux, Yervoy, Keytruda, Opdivo, Iressa, Tykerb, Gleevec and many more). How a patient adjusts to this discomforting and often unsightly toxicity is a major thematic element in this action thriller written by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, directed by Tim Miller and starring Ryan Reynolds. Tip: when your doctor suggests a new medicine, always ask for a list of possible side effects, look up toxicities of the medication online, and review side effects with the pharmacist.
Ma Ma is a film in Spanish with English subtitles that effectively and realistically portrays the emotional and physical effects of breast cancer treatment across the entire spectrum of the disease. Starring Penelope Cruz, the film with the screenplay by Julio Medem (also the director) emphasizes not only the therapy and its side effects, but also the importance of finding support among family and friends. Tip: if you or a family member is facing breast cancer, seek support from family, friends, and patient support groups. Get information about the disease and treatment from organizations such as the National Cancer Institute, Center for Disease Control and American Cancer Society.
Which film is most deserving of the award based on helping us to think about these issues? And based on that film, and suggestions that I always make in my website and book Surviving American Medicine, what additional tips can Dr. Cary suggest for health and wellness? Results will be published in a few weeks, so meanwhile see these motion pictures to see how they can change your attitudes.