Surgeon General Declares Gun Violence a Public Health Crisis

U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has declared gun violence a national public health crisis, releasing a 40-page advisory outlining the impact of firearm violence and recommending a public health approach to address it. The advisory highlights that firearm-related injuries have been the leading cause of death for U.S. children and adolescents since 2020, surpassing car accidents. It also reveals that 54% of U.S. adults or their family members have experienced a firearm-related incident.
Murthy’s recommendations include increasing federal funding for gun violence prevention research, investing in community education and mental health resources, implementing an assault weapons ban, and requiring universal background checks. The advisory stresses the importance of a public health approach, similar to the strategies used to reduce tobacco-related diseases and motor vehicle crashes.
The advisory comes amid ongoing debates about gun legislation, with the National Rifle Association opposing the framing of gun violence as a public health issue. The release aims to draw attention to the urgent need for action, though its impact on legislation remains uncertain. The Surgeon General’s office has previously issued advisories on topics like loneliness and social media’s effects on youth mental health, but this is the first focused on gun violence.