New film ‘The 100 Year Effect’ explores Oregon researcher’s quest to bring chronic disease knowledge to the world

Kent Thornburg is a Professor of Medicine Emeritus at Oregon Health and Science University. But he is far from retired. He’s actively promoting the research he and others have done into the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease. Thornburg coined the phrase “the 100 year effect” to describe how “early life environment” before and during  pregnancy can affect the lifetime risks of chronic diseases — and how those effects can actually be traced to not just  not just to both parents, but grandparents as well.

A new documentary about both the research, and Thornburg’s unconventional campaign meant to galvanize people and communities to spread the word about this research premiered at OHSU on March 20. The date was chosen in conjunction with the National Future Generations Day. “The 100 Year Effect” is now available to view free of charge by request for individuals or community screenings on the film website.

Thornburg says the only way anything will change is if young people and community leaders get energized and motivated. That’s where people like Kelsey Mueller Wendt come in. She is herself a young mother and the coordinator for the Nutrition Oregon Campaign Hub in Klamath Falls. Mueller Wendt and Thornburg join us to share more about larger education campaign and the film, which is both a showcase and an invitation into the larger effort to eliminate chronic disease.