At the dawn of the 21st century, the world is at a global health crossroads. Malaria, tuberculosis and other diseases virtually eliminated from the Western world routinely claim millions of lives in the developing world. More than 30 new or emergent diseases like SARS, West Nile virus and avian flu have appeared within the last 20 years. Strains of "superbugs" mystify modern medicine, while HIV/AIDS still has no vaccine.

Yet the problems of global health are not without solutions. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a "golden era" in world health spurred the greatest demographic revolution in human history. Powerful vaccines and antibiotics, clean water and sanitation, proper nutrition and a strong public health infrastructure protected whole populations from infectious disease and increased average life expectancy by more than 20 years, especially in developed countries. People simply stopped dying from diseases that had suddenly become curable. But the benefits of this golden era have not reached everyone. As a result, dangerous older diseases like tuberculosis and malaria continue to resurface and new threats emerge to challenge our best disease prevention tactics. In a jet fast, globalized world, communicable diseases can travel anywhere in a matter of hours, making any outbreak anywhere a threat to everyone.

Why are we so vulnerable to new infectious diseases? What will it take to get the fruits of medical science and disease prevention strategies to all the world's people as soon as possible? Rx for Survival—A Global Health Challenge™ will shine a light on the most critical health threats in the world today and present dramatic stories demonstrating that solutions are indeed possible, and lives can be saved right now.

Narrated by actor Brad Pitt, the six-part documentary series is co-produced by the award-winning documentary team of the WGBH/NOVA Science Unit and Vulcan Productions in association with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Intertwining historical vignettes with contemporary documentary sequences filmed in more than 20 countries, including the United States, Rx for Survival—A Global Health Challenge™ tells the remarkable stories of global health heroes, revealing their struggles, triumphs and turning points in saving lives and sustaining futures. The primetime broadcast of Rx for Survival—A Global Health Challenge™ premieres in six one-hour programs over three nights, November 1-3, on PBS (check local listings).

"Rx for Survival—A Global Health Challenge™ travels to the frontlines of global health, following the stories of those who work to prevent disease and develop lasting solutions," said Richard Hutton, vice president of media development at Vulcan Productions. "History shows us the path to global health success begins with understanding, commitment and compassion. Overcoming today's grave health challenges may seem daunting, but it's absolutely achievable, just as demystifying disease and enacting effective health services was accomplished in the past. Each small step in medicine brings us towards a more hopeful future. Knowing that is half the battle."

Rx for Survival—A Global Health Challenge™ is the cornerstone of an unprecedented multimedia "event" to focus the world's attention on global health this fall. TIME magazine, NPR and The Penguin Press will join PBS in producing in-depth coverage on the state of the world's health. Coinciding with the Rx for Survival—A Global Health Challenge™ broadcast, TIME will convene a Global Health Summit in New York City, November 13, drawing together influential international leaders to address the global health situation and solutions to the most serious of these issues.

Beyond broadcast, the WGBH/NOVA Science Unit and Vulcan Productions are producing a far-reaching campaign to deepen Americans' awareness and engagement in global health and child survival. The campaign, called Rx for Child Survival, will invite Americans to learn about the world's health problems and offer ways to improve the health of children, one global health challenge about which everyone can make a positive and dramatic difference. In partnership with international humanitarian organizations including CARE, Save the Children and UNICEF, in conjunction with the Global Health Council and a number of professional, humanitarian and community organizations, Rx for Child Survival will encourage donations to fund the delivery of life-saving health interventions for children in the developing world.

Major funding for Rx for Survival—A Global Health Challenge™ is provided by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and The Merck Company Foundation.

The series is available for purchase at www.shoppbs.org.