US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has declared gun violence a public health crisis, showing the need for action to address the country’s alarming high rate of shooting deaths
This statement comes as the United States struggles with the devastating impact of gun violence.
Combating gun violence
Dr. Murthy’s 40-page report calls for a public health approach to combat gun violence, drawing parallels to successful public health campaigns that improved seatbelt safety and reduced smoking rates.
By focusing on the health impacts and data, he aims to depoliticise an issue that has deeply divided lawmakers for years. The report shows the significant toll gun violence takes on communities, highlighting that since 2020, firearms have become the leading cause of death for children and young adults in the US.
The report reveals that the death rate from guns in the US is 11.4 times higher than in 28 other high-income countries.
Developing policies for gun control
The Surgeon General’s advisory stresses the importance of recognising the full scope of the issue to develop effective, evidence-based policies. The advisory has gained support from ten leading national medical associations, marking a step forward in changing the national conversation around gun violence.
Efforts to implement gun control measures at the federal level have been largely stymied by political opposition, particularly from conservative lawmakers and groups like the National Rifle Association (NRA).
The NRA has criticised the advisory, viewing it as an extension of the Biden administration’s efforts to limit firearm access. Despite this pushback, Dr. Murthy emphasises that the impact of gun violence extends beyond the roughly 50,000 deaths per year. The lingering effects on those who witness or survive shootings, or lose loved ones to gun violence, are profound and far-reaching.
Solutions for gun violence
The report also highlights the disproportionate impact of gun violence on young people and communities of colour. It notes that the firearm mortality rate for young Americans is significantly higher compared to other wealthy nations, with the US rate being 11 times that of France, 36 times that of Germany, and 121 times that of Japan.
Although the report does not mandate policy changes, it is seen as a crucial step in legitimising the discussion about using public health resources and research to address gun violence. Public health scholars and advocates hope that this declaration will pave the way for more informed and effective policies to curb gun deaths and injuries in the United States.
The Surgeon General’s declaration aims to shift the narrative around gun violence, focusing on its devastating public health impacts and the need for comprehensive, data-driven solutions.
