COLUMBIA - The message, though familiar, is worth repeating, former U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona said Tuesday: This country is killing itself and spending three-quarters of its health-care dollars on chronic diseases that are often preventable: heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure.

"I think we have to be persistent," Dr. Carmona said. "We can't afford to be on the trajectory that we're on."

The fact that Americans seem to be ignoring the message isn't stopping Dr. Carmona.

It's a message he brought to University of South Carolina public health students Tuesday.

Dr. Carmona said he is committed to making the fight against chronic diseases a key part of the health care debate, so he is also bringing the message to presidential candidates.

Dr. Carmona, who served as the country's surgeon general from 2002 to 2006, now leads the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease.

The coalition includes 60 health care, business and labor groups intent on raising awareness of what can be done to save lives and lower health-care costs related to chronic disease.

"I think the public, the citizens, need to take back control and demand from their political leaders an agenda (that addresses these issues)," he said.

Recent USC public-health graduate Sam Walker believes it will be difficult for Dr. Carmona's group to remain nonpartisan when lobbyists and others trying to drag the coalition into a partisan battle.

But Dr. Carmona's history as surgeon general will bring attention to the group and its work, Mr. Walker said.

"He's been to the very top, so his credentials are not going to be questioned," Mr. Walker said.

Reach Kirsten Singleton at (803) 414-6611 or kirsten.singleton@morris.com.