Gun violence a public health crisis: What the Surgeon General declaration means [Video]

The Surgeon General declared firearm violence in the U.S. a public health crisis Tuesday.

It was a first from the office as it was declared an urgent threat to the health and well-being of our country’s children.

“Today, for the first time in the history of our office, I am issuing a surgeon general’s advisory on firearm violence, U.S. Surgeon General Dr Vivek Murthy said.

The report is a call to action. Gun violence is the number one cause of death in kids ages 1 to 19 years old, surpassing substance overdose and automobile accidents.

Dr Karen Sheehan is a Lurie Children’s emergency medicine physician in Chicago.

More: Surgeon General declares gun violence a public health crisis

“In 2022 about 4,600 kids nationally died of firearm injuries,” she said.

It’s not just homicide driving the numbers. Access is a critical issue as young people who die by suicide often use a firearm.

“The challenge with guns and young people are young people are so …