The increasing number of children who lose their lives to firearms has been labeled as an “urgent public health crisis,” comparable to the national responses initiated to combat issues like cigarette smoking or car accidents, according to the nation’s leading medical official. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy underscored in a groundbreaking statement on Tuesday that addressing gun violence requires a public health strategy, steering away from the divisive political reactions that have hindered effective action. Murthy emphasized that gun violence has now surpassed other causes as the primary cause of death among children in the United States. He advocated for leveraging public health methodologies, which have historically proven effective in tackling uniquely American challenges such as the epidemic of gun-related deaths that claims nearly 50,000 lives annually.

“This is a significant public health crisis, but it is one that can be addressed,” Murthy stated in an interview with USA TODAY. “As a country, we have the capacity to take meaningful steps to address it.”

Murthy’s strategy encompasses several measures, such as implementing warning labels on firearms akin to those on other consumer goods, advocating for the reinstatement of the assault weapons ban, and promoting legislation mandating secure gun storage to mitigate risks associated with both homicides and suicides. Additionally, he stressed the critical importance of bolstering mental health support services for individuals affected by gun violence. This includes prioritizing trauma-informed healthcare initiatives and expanding school-based resources to address the psychological impacts of such incidents.

According to the Gun Violence Archive, a nonprofit organization that monitors incidents involving four or more victims, there have been 235 mass shootings in the U.S. in 2024 alone. Despite receiving less media attention, homicides and suicides contribute significantly to the overall death toll in the country.

Murthy’s urgent plea for a comprehensive public health approach follows similar appeals from the American Medical Association and the American Public Health Association, both of which have consistently recognized gun violence as a serious public health crisis. Murthy’s position as the nation’s foremost physician under two presidential administrations lends substantial credibility to his declaration.

Murthy has issued advisories in the past addressing various public health crises, such as highlighting the risks associated with social media and addressing the epidemic of loneliness. During the Obama administration, he also raised alarms about the dangers of e-cigarettes. Throughout history, surgeons general have consistently issued warnings regarding critical health issues. Murthy emphasized his belief that this current advisory can significantly raise public awareness about the devastating impact of gun violence in the United States.

An official warning from Murthy underscores the importance of taking a public health approach to clearly define the problem of gun violence and its health impacts. This approach hinges on data-driven understanding of the issue’s scope and its disproportionate effects on specific groups.

Murthy’s advisory aligns with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s violence prevention strategies, which emphasize rigorous data collection and research to assess risks and advocate for widespread adoption of effective interventions. Key components highlighted in the advisory include community and school-based initiatives, bolstered mental health resources, secure gun storage mandates, background checks, and policies for effective gun removal.

Moreover, the advisory explicitly calls for legislative actions such as banning assault weapons and large-capacity magazines from civilian use. It also addresses regulations on carrying loaded firearms in public, covering both concealed and open carry scenarios, and outlines rules governing the use of firearms in public settings. These measures collectively aim to mitigate the impact of gun violence and enhance public safety.

The advisory advocates for applying the same regulatory standards to firearms as the United States applies to other consumer products, such as motor vehicles, pesticides, and products approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Unlike these products, firearms currently lack equivalent safety testing protocols and safety features, including the absence of warning labels.

Murthy’s recommendation underscores the need to establish comprehensive safety measures for firearms to enhance public safety, akin to how other consumer goods undergo rigorous scrutiny and regulation to mitigate risks and ensure user safety.

The mortality rates among young people due to gun violence in the United States significantly exceed those of other nations. According to the advisory, there has been a steady increase in gun violence in recent years. In 2022 alone, over 48,000 people lost their lives to gun violence, marking an increase of 16,000 deaths compared to 2010. The advisory also highlighted a concerning 20% rise in firearm-related suicides, particularly noting a drastic increase in such deaths among young individuals.

According to the advisory, owning firearms increases the risk of homicide and suicide for all members of a household. Furthermore, leaving firearms unlocked also heightens the likelihood of young people dying from suicide, accidents, or experiencing unintentional injuries.

In 2020, gun violence surpassed car accidents as the leading cause of death among children in the United States. The rate of firearm deaths among children and adolescents in the U.S. is six times higher than in Canada and occurs at a rate more than 10 times higher than in Switzerland. Comparatively, in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, the firearm death rate is nearly 50 times lower than in the U.S.

“Gun violence has now become a children’s issue,” Murthy emphasized. “This perspective heightens the urgency and significance of tackling this public health crisis.”

Communities of color bear a disproportionate burden of gun violence due to higher rates of poverty and residence in marginalized areas. These factors significantly elevate their vulnerability to shootings.

The ramifications of gun violence extend far beyond the immediate victims, impacting witnesses and loved ones profoundly. According to the advisory, individuals who witness shootings or lose family members to gun violence are at increased risk of developing depression or anxiety. Family members of victims also experience heightened mental health challenges. Children who lose parents to homicide or suicide face elevated risks of depression, heart disease, or cancer, which can have enduring effects on their academic and professional lives, as noted in the advisory.

While mass shootings represent a small fraction of overall gun deaths in the U.S., they carry significant mental health consequences. Concerns about safety in public spaces and at events intensify following these incidents, according to the advisory.

Murthy expressed his hope that the advisory will raise awareness and motivate healthcare systems and lawmakers to prioritize effective solutions.

He drew a parallel to 1964 when Surgeon General Luther Terry, during President Lyndon B. Johnson’s administration, issued an advisory declaring tobacco use hazardous and a cause of cancer. Murthy noted that at that time, cigarette smoking was deeply ingrained in American society.

According to the Association of Centers for the Study of Congress at the University of Delaware, Congress passed a law a year later mandating warning labels on cigarette products. Subsequently, tobacco use saw a sharp decline, which federal reports attributed to reductions in lung cancer rates and youth smoking. Identifying the public health risks of smoking helped change the culture and make Americans safer. The same can be done with gun violence, Murthy said.