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Extra Life: A Short History of Living Longer logo

Extra Life: A Short History of Living Longer

Extra Life: A Short History of Living Longer is a timely look at the innovations in science and medicine that doubled the human lifespan in less than a century.

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Program Details

How yesterday’s medical triumphs provided a blueprint for our future.

Celebrating the unsung heroes who made it happen, Extra Life: A Short History of Living Longer reveals the little-known story of a public health revolution that doubled the human lifespan in less than a century, paving the way for modern medicine. 

 

The timely four-part series explores the lessons learned from previous pandemics—including smallpox, cholera, and the Spanish flu—and reveals how scientists, doctors, self-experimenters, and activists fundamentally changed how we think about illness thanks to medical innovations that conquered some of the world’s deadliest diseases. 

 

Best-selling author Steven Johnson, alongside historian and broadcaster David Olusoga, guide viewers across three centuries, tracing the origins of inoculation back to Africa—long before the discovery of vaccination in the west. And reveal how collective efforts around the world can lead to extraordinary outcomes. 



Awards


Realscreen Awards 2022, Non-Fiction – Science & Technology Program nominee


Content Innovation Awards 2021,  Best Documentary Series winner


World Congress of Science & Factual Producers’ Buzzies 2021, Best Science Long Format nominee


Silbersalz Science and Media Awards 2022, Best Factual Series winner

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Production Info

Genres

FactualScience

Definition

HD

Runtime

4 x 60 min

Production Year(s)

2021

Broadcaster(s) / Platform(s)

PBS (US)BBC (UK)

Producer(s)

Nutopia

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