The HAVI Applauds U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on Gun Violence as a Public Health Crisis

June 25, 2024 — Today U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy released a landmark advisory on gun violence as a pressing public health issue in this country. In response to this urgent call for the nation’s awareness and action, the Health Alliance for Violence Intervention (HAVI) issued the following statement from Executive Director Fatimah Loren Dreier.

“The HAVI applauds U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy’s leadership in recognizing gun violence as a significant public health challenge demanding the American people’s immediate attention. Firearm injuries take the lives of tens of thousands of Americans each year and are now the leading cause of death among children and teens. However, the impact is exponentially greater. Research shows that there are two to four times more nonfatal than fatal gunshot injuries each year, and as the advisory aptly highlights, the resulting trauma extends beyond those killed or injured — affecting witnesses, family, friends, and members of the surrounding community. Most alarming is the disproportionate impact of gun violence — and its cascade of trauma — on communities of color who have for decades been subject to systemic inequities and disinvestment. We must heed the Surgeon General’s call for action and empower leaders in the most affected communities to create and implement solutions that interrupt cycles of violence, foster healing, and promote wellbeing.”

“Gun violence is hitting young Black and Latinx/Hispanic people the hardest. It is critical that we invest in innovative, evidence-based public health interventions that deploy credible messengers to reach those who are most impacted and provide access to the mental health care and social and economic opportunities they need to thrive. Hospital-based violence intervention programs (HVIPs) and other community violence intervention (CVI) strategies are effective ways to provide victims of gun violence who are at elevated risk for future violence with the care, support, and access to opportunity they need to transform their lives. Grounded in public health principles, these strategies focus on mitigating the impact of risk factors and strengthening protective factors to reduce exposure to violence and its effects.”

“The HAVI applauds Surgeon General Murthy and the Biden-Harris Administration for their steadfast commitment to addressing the crisis of gun violence through a public health approach that centers community-based strategies that have the power to dramatically reduce violence in our hardest hit neighborhoods. A growing number of cities across the U.S. have begun to implement comprehensive CVI) ecosystems, which coordinate violence reduction efforts across city agencies, health systems, community organizations, and law enforcement. Already, many of these cities have seen substantial drops in shootings and gun homicides — with an overall 13 percent reduction in gun homicides nationwide — and local leaders have pointed to this integrated approach as a contributing factor.

“While the recent decreases in shootings and gun homicides have certainly been encouraging, solving this crisis will take an all-hands-on deck approach. We call on leaders across sectors — from health systems to government agencies to community-based organizations and beyond — to engage with the Surgeon General’s Advisory and invest in CVI so that cities can reach the individuals at greatest risk of violence in the most impacted communities. Together, we can end the gun violence crisis.”