Key Takeaways from the US Surgeon General’s Advisory Opinion on Gun Violence

Recently, US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released a milestone advisory about gun violence in America. Public health professionals have praised this advice in part because of the sheer scale of gun violence and its profound impact on America. In 2022 alone, more than 48,000 people died from firearm-related injuries. The number of firearm-related deaths exceeds that of most other high-income countries, underscoring the unique and serious nature of this crisis.

These are the key takeaways from the Surgeon General’s advice on gun violence.

Gun violence is a public health crisis

Dr. Murthy declaring gun violence a public health crisis is important for many reasons, but especially because it underscores the significance of addressing gun violence as a public health issue, as opposed to an issue solely about criminal justice. While public health advocates have known this for years, formally issuing a public health advisory provides a roadmap for evidence-based interventions to help stem the tide of gun violence in America. The Surgeon General’s advisories emphasize prevention, social determinants of health, and broad interventions including education, mental health care, and legislation to address the crisis.

Gun violence affects everyone

According to the advisory, 54% of American adults have experienced a firearm-related incident. Besides, almost six out of ten American adults say they worry “sometimes,” “almost every day” or “every day” about a loved one becoming a victim of gun violence. The effects of gun violence create a ripple effect across communities across America, affecting not only those who die, but the many others who may be injured and survive, as well as the family and friends of the injured. Exposure to gun violence can invariably lead to trauma throughout the community, including both physical injury and mental trauma resulting not only from anxiety and depression as a result of the event, but also from the constant fear that such events may occur in the future occur.

Gun violence takes a disproportionate toll on children

Injuries from firearms are now the leading cause of death in children and adolescents, surpassing car accidents, which were previously the leading cause of death. This comes as no surprise as the American public regularly hears about mass shootings taking place at many schools in many different states. Last year alone, the United States averaged almost two mass shootings per day, according to reports from BBC.

According to a study published in Health matters. Substance use disorders lead to adverse health outcomes, with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety.

Multifaceted interventions are crucial to combating gun violence

Dr. Murthy advocates for a comprehensive approach that addresses many of the risk factors of gun violence, including easy access to firearms, socioeconomic disparities and mental health care deficiencies. Strategies to change outcomes related to gun violence include increasing funding for critical research, strengthening education initiatives that promote safe storage and use of firearms, as well as passing key legislation such as implementing universal background checks and effective firearms disposal policy.

Gun violence undoubtedly remains a public health crisis, having a devastating impact on countless individuals, families, and communities across the United States. The Surgeon General’s guidance not only provides a much-needed roadmap to address systemic factors that perpetuate gun violence, but is also a stark reminder of how much work needs to be done to stem the tide of this crisis.