Key Takeaways From US Surgeon General’s Advisory On Gun Violence

Recently, US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued a landmark advisory on firearm violence in America. Public health practitioners have lauded this advisory in part because of the sheer magnitude of gun violence and its pervasive impact on America. In 2022 alone, more than 48,000 people died of firearm-related injuries. The rate of firearm-related deaths surpasses that of most other high-income countries, highlighting the unique and severe nature of this crisis.

Here are the key takeaways from the Surgeon General’s advisory on firearm violence.

Gun Violence Is A Public Health Crisis

Dr. Murthy declaring firearm violence a public health crisis is important for many reasons, but mainly because it underscores the significance of addressing gun violence as a public health issue as opposed to an issue solely revolving around criminal justice. Although public health advocates have known this for years, formally issuing an advisory centered on public health provides a roadmap for evidence-based interventions to help turn the tide on gun violence in America. Surgeon General advisories emphasize prevention, social determinants of health as well as broad interventions that include education, mental health service and legislation to address the crisis.

Firearm Violence Impacts Everyone

54% of US adults have experienced a firearm-related incident, according to the advisory. In addition, nearly six in ten US adults say that they worry “sometimes”, “almost every day”, or “everyday” about a loved one being a victim of firearm violence. The effects of gun violence create a rippling effect throughout communities in America, and affect not just those who die, but also the many more that can get injured and survive as well as the family and friends of those injured. Exposure to gun violence can invariably lead to community-wide trauma, which includes both physical injury as well as the mental trauma that results from not only anxiety and depression from the event, but also the constant fear that such events could occur in the future.

Gun Violence Disproportionately Takes A Toll On Children

Injuries related to firearms is now the leading cause of death in children and adolescents, surpassing motor vehicle crashes which was previously the leading cause. This comes as no surprise as the American public regularly hears about mass shootings that occur in many schools across many different states. Last year alone, there were on average nearly two mass shootings per day in the United States, according to reports from BBC.

Child survivors of gun violence experience substance use disorders and pain disorders at more than double the rates of those that do not experience gun violence, according to a study published in Health Affairs. Substance use disorders lead to adverse health outcomes, with increased risks of cardiovascular disease, cancers and mental health disorders like depression and anxiety.

Multi-faceted Interventions Are Critical To Combat Gun Violence

Dr. Murthy advocates for a comprehensive approach that addresses many of the risk factors of gun violence, which include easy access to firearms, socio-economic disparities and deficiencies in mental health care. Strategies to change outcomes with respect to firearm violence include increase funding for critical research, enhancing educational initiatives that promote safe firearm storage and usage as well as enacting important legislation such as implementing universal background checks and effective firearm removal policies.

Gun violence undoubtedly remains a public health crisis, with a devastating impact on countless individuals, families and communities throughout the United States. The Surgeon General’s advisory provides not only a much needed roadmap to address systemic factors that perpetuate firearm violence, but also a stark reminder of just how much work needs to be done to turn the tide on this crisis.