Gun violence in the United States has been deemed an urgent public health crisis that requires immediate action, according to a new advisory released Tuesday by Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. This marks the first time that the Office of the Surgeon General has specifically addressed firearm violence and its profound impact on survivors, communities, and mental health.
A surgeon general’s advisory is typically used to highlight significant public health issues, and in this case, the focus is on the devastating effects of gun violence in the United States and the potential strategies to combat it. The advisory points out that in 2022 alone, over 48,000 people in the US died from firearm-related injuries, including homicides, suicides, and unintentional deaths.
The rate of firearm-related deaths has been on the rise in the US, reaching a three-decade high in 2021, according to the advisory. Although there has been a decrease in gun-related homicides since then, the number of gun-related suicides has remained steady. Additionally, the advisory notes that while mass shootings account for only about 1% of gun deaths, the frequency of such incidents has been increasing.
Statistics show that gun violence disproportionately affects communities of color, with Black people experiencing the highest rates of firearm-related homicides in 2022. The advisory also details the impact on children, who face the highest gun violence mortality rate among peer countries. Firearm violence not only poses a physical threat but also takes a toll on mental health, particularly among children who fear experiencing violence at school.
The advisory emphasizes the need for increased research funding to better understand and prevent firearm violence, as well as investments in better data collection and prevention strategies. It calls for the implementation of more stringent gun laws, including requirements for safe storage, a ban on assault weapons, universal background checks, and effective firearm removal policies.
Dr. Murthy has issued similar advisories in the past addressing mental health issues, health misinformation, and the impact of social media on youth mental health. The advisory underscores the importance of taking a public health approach to address gun violence, comparing it to successful efforts to reduce tobacco-related diseases and motor vehicle crashes.
“It is up to us to take on this generational challenge with the urgency and clarity the moment demands,” the advisory states. “The safety and well-being of our children and future generations are at stake.”
