Posted 07/22/2007

Former surgeon general carries battle against
chronic disease to Arnold School of Public Health
 

Carmona, who spoke to a group of graduate students at the University of South Carolina's Arnold School of Public Health, said 16 percent of the nation's gross national product - about $2 trillion - is spent on healthcare. 

 About three-fourths of the costs are the result of chronic diseases that could be reduced or eliminated by making lifestyle changes, including walking more, eating less, eliminating the use of tobacco, wearing seatbelts and using helmets for riding bicycles. 

"The disease burden mounts," said Carmona, citing statistics that show healthcare costs rising to $4 trillion in the near future.

"Who pays? We all pay," he said. 

He said says former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is a good example of dealing with the problem. Huckabee, who used to weigh 280 pounds, has lost more than 100 pounds.

A former high-school dropout who served in Vietnam and later earned degrees in medicine and public health, Carmona is chair of the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease. His visit to the university was designed to give students insight into the public-health issues they will confront in their careers.

"You are the ones who are going to make a difference," Carmona said. "You have the chance to change the world." 

The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease includes 60 health care, business and labor groups intent on raising awareness of what can be done to save lives and lower health-care costs related to chronic disease.

The escalating human and financial costs of chronic diseases transcend political parties, politics and disciplines, said Carmona, who served as the country's surgeon general from 2002 to 2006

"Every one of us has a social, moral and ethical obligation ... to fight chronic disease," said Carmona. "The health of the nation is more important than any political party."