The second focus of his administration has been disease prevention.

"The idea is a balanced approach where we emphasize [such things as] physical activity and nutrition and responsible sexual behavior," Satcher says. "We don't support physical education in schools, parks and safe walking trails in schools, parks and safe walking trails in communities, and yet we spend a lot of money treating people after they are sick."

He hopes to lower instances of diabetes and heart attacks by maintaining a healthier and more fit population overall.

Satcher's platform also includes increasing immunization rates and cancer-screening--projects he also promoted at the CDC.

Satcher's third goal has been to globalize healthcare by spreading the American vision of disease treatment and prevention around the world.

"Health problems are not limited by national borders," Satcher says.

He places emphasis on the international concerns of tobacco and mental health.

Four million people died as a result of tobacco in 1998, and by 2025, ten million people will die--most of them in developing countries, according to Satcher.

Americans need to "realize that we are part of a global community--tobacco moves from one country to another just as diseases do," Satcher says.

Satcher also sees mental health as a global concern. Along with devoting more resources to the mental health field and publishing the first ever Surgeon General's Report on Mental Health, he turns to other nations in order to find solutions to problems here at home.

"We have looked to Australia as an example of destigmatization of mental health," Satcher says.

The Doctor's Appointment

Satcher's tenure as surgeon general thus far has been relatively uncontroversial, despite the contention that surrounded his confirmation.

While Satcher received the nomination from President Clinton in 1997, disagreement in Congress prevented him from assuming the post right away.

"The confirmation process was very easy at first, but in December, before [the Senate] went on break, they decided to put my nomination on hold for reasons primarily relating to programs at the CDC," Satcher says.