I think the middle school does a really good job with starting kids off really liking it, and I think it really helps that we're all in the same building and that we have great teachers.

We need to continually turn our attention to this issue because it's a tragedy.

Wealth in an area is sometimes exported to other parts of the country. Racial and ethnic disparities are not due to genetics or inborn differences in people of different races, but rather that they reflect social inequalities. Similarly, geographic disparities that we see across the country are not due to climate but reflect the social environment and local economies.

The highest rates in death from heart disease for men are found in the regions of this country with the poorest economies and few health care resources, particularly in underdeveloped rural areas,

When you look at national figures you get one picture, and you get another when you look at geographic variation. The places in the country where we have very high rates of deaths from heart disease are places that have historically experienced economic underdevelopment. ... There have been a lack of opportunities for people to experience healthy living compared to other areas.

I have been out of drama school for 13 years, so there are 13 years' worth of graduates behind me.