Surgeon General Outlines Prescription for Life at Lecture

US Surgeon General David Satcher outlined his prescription for healthier lives at the first Landon Lecture of the fall semester at Kansas State University. His prescription included moderate exercise, correct nutrition, avoidance of toxins, and responsible sexual activity. "When they told me that I was the nation's doctor, I had been writing prescriptions for most of my life," Satcher said. "So I thought, 'why couldn't I write one for the American people?'"

Satcher's plan also includes removing the stigma from mental illness -- which, he said, often has physical causes in the brain. Of the 44 million people in the United States who suffer from some type of mental illness, less than half seek treatment, Satcher said. The surgeon general also discussed his two broad goals -- the health of an aging population, and disparities in health care. Satcher said the nation needs to address the health concerns that affect older Americans. The nation needs to address disparities in six areas: infant death, cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, HIV and immunizations. Satcher also spoke highly of the university's research projects and the proposed food safety research facility that would study the effects of bioterrorism on the nation's food supply.

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