The same things that lead to disparities in health in this country on a day-to-day basis led to disparities in the impact of Hurricane Katrina.

The challenge is to become part of the struggle, to make a positive difference.

Seventy-five percent of women who smoke would like to quit, and yet only two to three percent quit every year... It's significant because we can help women quit smoking.

The people of this country desperately need to engage in an open and honest debate about mental health.

I'm convinced that we can shape a different future for this country as it relates to mental health and as it relates to suicide.

Many people believe that dealing with overweight and obesity is a personal responsibility. To some degree they are right, but it is also a community responsibility. When there are no safe, accessible places for children to play or adults to walk, jog, or ride a bike, that is a community responsibility.

People tend to think of overweight and obesity as strictly a personal matter, but there is much that communities can and should do to address these problems.