In a call to action, the U.S. Surgeon General has declared gun violence a public health crisis that requires urgent attention. The nation’s top doctor emphasized that there are strategies that can be implemented to reduce the toll of gun violence, which has deeply affected the American psyche. According to the Surgeon General, gun violence is now the leading cause of death for children and teenagers, with more than half of adults having been impacted by gun-related incidents in some way.
The 40-page document from the Surgeon General recommends solutions such as stricter gun laws, community involvement, and discussions about safe gun storage at doctor’s offices. Middle Tennessee has recently seen several shootings involving teenagers, adding to the growing concern over gun violence in the region. The CDC reports that Tennessee ranks high in firearm homicides of children and overall homicides in the country.
The Surgeon General also highlighted the mental health toll from these incidents, with many Americans worrying about the possibility of a mass shooting. He hopes that understanding gun violence as a children’s issue will prioritize finding solutions and shift the focus from politics to public health. Meanwhile, a group in Nashville that witnessed the early days of the AIDS crisis decided to take action to save lives despite facing grief and hatred. Their efforts have had lasting effects across the city.
