The good news is that parents are the leading influence on kids decision not to drink alcohol.

It is critical that parents and other trusted adults initiate conversations with kids about underage drinking well in advance of the first time they are faced with a decision regarding alcohol.

Twenty million more have Chronic Kidney Disease, where patients experience a gradual deterioration of kidney function, the end result of which is kidney failure.

Individuals with kidney disease who are able to obtain treatment early experience a higher quality of life and are able to maintain more of their day-to-day activities, including keeping their jobs.

According to the American Heart Association, the prevalence of hypertension in African Americans in the United States is among the highest in the world.

But 18 years after the passage of the Civil Liberties Act, there still remains unfinished work to completely rectify and close this regrettable chapter in our Nations history.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the first use of alcohol typically begins at age 12.

Diabetes occurs at twice the rate in the African American community as it does in white Americans.

The Smithsonian museums are among this country's most endearing treasures and I look forward to helping maintain and enhance their coveted works of art.

As of 2002, two million Latino adults had been diagnosed with diabetes.

According to Teenage Research Unlimited, 51 percent of 13-15 year olds say they will be faced with making a decision regarding alcohol in the next three months.

Scientists found that there are exactly as many skin pigment colors to the various races of this world as there are different colors of soil [dirt].

I don't need to worry about that, that's always there on a slow simmer. The muscle I have to work on is being more present.

Art is not difficult because it wishes to be difficult, but because it wishes to be art.

One of the greatest pleasures I get from my measly professional career is confusing people.

The impact of the downturn is starting to feel very real. House prices and the housing market have been taking the knock for some time and that's affecting people.

George Eliot is my only steady girlfriend. We go to bed together every night.

Each morning I gaze at the eastern horizon, and if the sun keeps its promise, I keep mine.

The mind does not easily unlearn what it has been long in learning.

I would love for film to go back to those days where you had to be able to do everything just to get by.