BEDFORD, N.H. - New Hampshire is one of the best states in addressing the growing problem of obesity, according to U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona.
At a health conference in Bedford on Tuesday, Carmona said obesity soon will eclipse smoking as the nation's leading cause of preventable death. New Hampshire is no exception to the trend, but Carmona said it leads the nation in addressing the problem and informing the public.
"Your state is really advanced," he said. "They're pushing the envelope."
Carmona said rather than push for sweeping changes in the health care system, he prefers to focus on promoting the prevention of sickness and disease.
"If I gave every penny I have, it wouldn't be enough," he said. "Unless you embrace prevention, you're always going to be chasing the dollar."