The Relentless School Nurse: Surgeon General Declares Firearm Violence a Public Health Crisis

The declaration by the Surgeon General brings a mix of relief and sorrow. While it is a step forward in addressing firearm violence, it also serves as a stark reminder of the lives lost and the communities devastated by these tragedies. The recognition of firearm violence as a public health crisis aims to foster a more unified and effective response, potentially preventing future tragedies and providing support to those affected.

For those who have worked for YEARS to bring the importance of a public health approach to firearm violence prevention, thank you for all you have done and for inviting this school nurse to join your efforts. The Advisory is 40 pages and I am just beginning to digest the contents.  I will be sharing the information with colleagues at the National Association of School Nurses 2024 Conference in Chicago this week.

Last year at #NASN2023, I was honored to present a general session on the role of the school nurse in stemming gun violence. I have shared this topic with many state school nurse associations since 2018 and have seen the recognition of gun violence as a public health crisis grow in acceptance.

This morning, with an official announcement about the Advisory, I can say that the message has been received and now mechanisms will be in place to increase research funding dollars to meet the enormity of the crisis. We will build on all of the research that has happened and continue to carve an evidence-based path of gun violence prevention steeped in the public health model. 

Here is U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy sharing the news:

The announcement underscores the profound impact of gun violence on American communities and the need for a comprehensive public health approach to address it.

Key Points from the News:

• • Surgeon General’s Declaration: U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has declared firearm violence a public health crisis, calling for a vigorous national response similar to efforts that reduced deaths from tobacco and motor vehicle accidents.
  • Statistics and Impact: In 2022, over 48,000 people died from gun violence, marking a significant increase from previous years. The advisory highlights the disproportionate impact on marginalized communities and the severe mental health consequences for survivors and their families.
  • Public Health Approach: The advisory suggests measures such as warning labels on firearms, safe gun storage laws, and increased mental health resources for victims. It draws parallels to past public health campaigns that successfully reduced smoking and car accident fatalities.

Context and Background:

• • Gun Violence in 2023: Last year, the U.S. saw over 40,000 gun violence deaths, with a significant portion being suicides. Mass shootings and police-involved shootings also contributed to the toll.
  • Early 2024 Data: As of mid-February 2024, nearly 5,000 people have died from gun violence, with mass shootings and suicides continuing to be major contributors.

Read through the Advisory, and when you arrive at the Conclusion (included below), take a moment to see what role you can play in gun violence prevention, the number one cause of death of children and teens. Dr. Murthy stresses the urgency of  “a collective commitment of the nation to turn the tide on the crisis of firearm violence in America.” We all have an important role to play, especially the almost 96,000 school nurses serving over 55 million students every day.

Conclusion: This Advisory describes the health impact of firearm violence in the U.S. The increasing number of children and adolescents dying from firearm‑related injuries and the reverberating mental health impacts on society make firearm violence an urgent public health crisis in America. There are many experts and leaders who work tirelessly each day to protect families and communities from the trauma and suffering that have become all too common in our country. They include community leaders, health workers, and educators and school staff who emphasize healing and connection and lead violence‑intervention initiatives in their neighborhoods. They also include researchers, medical associations, and community‑based organizations whose actionable recommendations to mitigate firearm violence are advancing efforts to save lives.

But it will take more—the collective commitment of the nation—to turn the tide on the crisis of firearm violence in America. A public health approach can guide our strategy and actions, as it has done in the past with successful efforts to address tobacco‑related disease and motor vehicle crashes. It is up to us to take on this generational challenge with the urgency and clarity the moment demands. The safety and well‑being of our children and future generations are at stake. Retrieved from The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on Firearm Violence: A Public Health Crisis in America

I am looking forward to learning your response to this great news and how we, as school nurses can use our unique position to support the public health approach to gun violence prevention. 

Resources:

HHS Office of the Surgeon General Firearm Violence in America