Physicians cheered the U.S. Surgeon General’s move to declare gun violence a national public health crisis.
In what could led to public campaigns like those used to reduce smoking, drunken driving and traffic fatalities, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released a landmarkcalling for everything from increased funding for firearm violence prevention research to how healthcare workers should counsel patients on firearm storage.
The American Medical Association, which is the nation’s largest doctor group with more than 200,000 members, was among 10 national physician groups applauding the Surgeon General for its declaration as well as “outlining an evidence-based public health approach to addressing firearm violence.” “Across the country, physicians everywhere treat patients and families afflicted by firearm violence,” AMA president Dr. Bruce A. Scott said. “We see the physical and emotional harm firsthand, and we dread the too-often conversations with parents, spouses, and even children in which we tell them their loved one did not make it. Firearm violence is indeed a public health crisis in the United States, and the data now show it touches the majority of Americans.”of U.S.
In all, leaders of 10 of the nation’s medical organizations and the YWCA issued statements in concert with the Surgeon General’s advisory.“The American College of Physicians has long advocated for a public health approach and common-sense measures to help curb this escalating crisis,” said American College of Physicians, Executive Vice President and CEO, Dr. Darilyn V. Moyer and President Isaac O. Opole.