Report: Surgeon general Regina Benjamin to step down

{mosads}Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen
Sebelius praised Benjamin in a statement.

“Regina has served as America’s doctor since 2009 and has
impacted the health and lives of Americans across the country. I am deeply grateful
for her leadership and service,” she wrote.

Benjamin said she intended to remain involved in public
health issues.

The surgeon general pushed efforts to combat obesity and
smoking during her tenure.

Last year Benjamin released a report warning that tobacco
use among young adults was growing, despite years of anti-smoking campaigns and
calls for more government action. She also launched the “Every Body Walk”
campaign to promote physical activity.

The American Public Health Association called Benjamin a “remarkable
advocate in promoting the value of prevention.”

“We are extraordinarily grateful for her strong public health leadership,” the group said in a
statement.

Before being tapped for surgeon general in 2009, Benjamin
worked at the Bayou La Batre Rural Health Clinic, which she founded to serve
gulf coast residents in Alabama.

This story was updated at 8:58 a.m.