The nation’s top physician observed that the majority of Americans or their family members have suffered gun violence in a first-of-its-kind report that called for action.
Dr. Murthy contends that a public health approach could be beneficial, much as it was with modifications to seatbelt safety in cars and alerts regarding the negative health effects of tobacco smoking. His goal is to get Americans to look at the facts and the impacts of a problem that has sharply split politicians rather than the politics surrounding it.
According to Dr. Murthy, “I want people to understand the full impact gun violence is having on the United States,” she said to the news.
In addition to family members grieving the loss of a loved one, witnesses to these tragedies, and the millions of individuals who read and hear about gun violence every day in the newspapers, there are two shot and injured people for every life lost who also face long-term effects on their mental and physical health.”
Advocates for gun safety are cautiously enthusiastic about Tuesday’s recommendation, viewing it as a first step in transforming public perception of the problem.
“This is not a political issue,” Dr. Chethan Sathya, who is in charge of the Center for Gun Violence Prevention at Northwell Health, said news.
