Xavier Becerra United States Secretary of Health and Human Services | Official Website
Washington, D.C. – On June 25, 2024, United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released a landmark advisory on firearm violence, declaring it a public health crisis in America. The advisory highlights that more than half (54 percent) of U.S. adults or their family members have experienced a firearm-related incident in their lives. Firearm violence is now the leading cause of death among children and adolescents.
The advisory from the Office of the Surgeon General details the extensive impact of gun violence beyond death and injury, describing layers of harm affecting youth, families, communities, and other populations. It underscores that nearly 6 in 10 U.S. adults worry regularly about loved ones being victims of firearm violence.
“Firearm violence is an urgent public health crisis that has led to loss of life, unimaginable pain, and profound grief for far too many Americans,” said Dr. Vivek Murthy. “We don’t have to continue down this path... All Americans deserve to live their lives free from firearm violence.”
The rate of firearm-related deaths has been steadily rising over the last decade, driven by both homicides and suicides. In 2022 alone, over half (56.1%) of all firearm-related deaths were suicides while 40.8% were homicides.
The advisory notes that different communities are disproportionately affected by firearm violence. For instance, in 2022, Black youth accounted for about half of all youth firearm deaths despite representing only 14% of the youth population. The suicide rates also varied significantly across demographics with White people over age 45 and American Indian or Alaska Native people under age 45 experiencing higher rates.
Children are notably impacted as well; in 2020, firearm injuries surpassed car accidents as the leading cause of death for U.S. children and adolescents.
The document outlines an evidence-informed public health approach to address this crisis which includes:
- Critical research investments
- Community risk reduction strategies
- Firearm risk reduction strategies
- Mental health action and support
Prominent medical organizations supported the Surgeon General’s Advisory:
“Pediatricians have long understood that gun violence is a public health threat to children,” said Ben Hoffman, MD from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
“The Surgeon General’s Advisory on Firearm Violence speaks to the gun violence that emergency physicians observe all too often,” said Aisha T. Terry from the American College of Emergency Physicians.
Other statements came from leaders at organizations including the American College of Physicians, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association, American Public Health Association, Children’s Hospital Association, Northwell Health CEO Council on Gun Violence Prevention & Safety initiative leader Michael Dowling, and YWCA USA CEO Margaret Mitchell.
Surgeon General's Advisories call attention to critical public health issues requiring immediate national awareness and action.
For more information about the Office of the Surgeon General and to read the full advisory visit www.surgeongeneral.gov/priorities.
