E-mail a friendJuly 5, 2004
First up on our weeklong "Road to Health" series, former Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher gives an overview of the nation's health, and the legendary Della Reese shares her practical and personal advice for living with diabetes.
Dr. David Satcher
Dr. David Satcher
David Satcher on the nation's health
Nobody thought 2-year-old David Satcher would live. But he was tough. With the help of a dedicated Black doctor, he overcame whooping cough and pneumonia and went on to become the 16th U.S. Surgeon General. He also served as the first Black director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Now at Morehouse School of Medicine, as the Interim President and Director of its Center of Excellence on Health Disparities, Satcher champions healthy lifestyles, especially in underserved communities.
Della Reese
Della Reese
Della Reese on diabetes
Della Reese has been a performer nearly all of her life. She began singing in church at age 6. At 18, she was the first performer to take gospel music to the Vegas casinos. She switched genres in the 50s and had three Top 40 hits. Television also beckoned. She was the first female host of The Tonight Show and the first Black woman with her own primetime variety show. Reese is also an ordained minister and author. Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, she's the spokesperson for a national awareness campaign.