MIAMI — Dr. Vivek Murthy, the U.S. Surgeon General, reflects on his childhood achievements, from dance to math, showcased in the gold and silver trophies at his family home in Florida.
Raised in a dynamic environment, his family believed he could excel in any field he chose.
However, when a teacher remarked that he could one day become a Secretary of State, Murthy’s mother quickly intervened.
“She got really worried,” Murthy recounted during a recent interview. “She called my dad and insisted he talk to me to steer me away from a political path.”
Fast forward to today, Murthy is in his second term as the Surgeon General, fully engaged in political discourse.
Murthy has taken a stand against major technology companies, highlighting the detrimental effects of their algorithms on children’s mental health. Recently, he advised Congress to consider a surgeon general’s warning label for social media platforms. In a landmark report released this June, he stated that gun violence has reached a public health crisis level in the United States.
This acknowledgment of gun violence has previously sparked concern among Republicans, nearly derailing Murthy’s initial confirmation under the Obama administration.
Murthy gained recognition while working as an internist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. His ability to mobilize doctors for lobbying efforts in support of the Affordable Care Act caught national attention. His advocacy not only influenced health policy but also led to a personal connection with his wife, Alice Chen, as they exchanged support through letters and calls across states.
Yet, his remarks linking gun issues to health concerns delayed his confirmation and left the position vacant for over a year. After being dismissed from his role by President Trump, he was reconfirmed under President Biden in 2021 with bipartisan support.
As the chief health advocate, Murthy has now positioned gun violence squarely within the public health arena.
Since his return, statistics highlight a grim reality: gun violence became the leading cause of death among children in 2021, surpassing both car accidents and cancer. Over 4,700 children lost their lives due to firearm injuries that year, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
During his nationwide listening tours, Murthy has encountered heartbreaking stories that influenced his commitment to address the issue. For instance, he spoke with a grandmother reluctant to let her grandson wear bright sneakers to school for fear of attracting violence and a mother whose experience in a mass shooting left her traumatized.
“Hearing these stories repeatedly made it clear that action was necessary,” Murthy stated.
His recent report details troubling trends in gun-related deaths and injuries, urging Congress to enact stricter regulations, including banning high-capacity magazines, mandating universal background checks, and imposing penalties for unsafe gun storage.
Responses to his report have been polarized; many medical professionals and Democrats applauded it, while Republicans criticized it, calling it an assault on responsible gun owners.
Despite the challenges, Murthy believes his report can initiate crucial conversations surrounding gun violence, framing it not as a partisan issue but as a public health concern affecting all Americans.
Additionally, he emphasizes the mental health impact of gun violence, noting that a significant portion of teenagers live in fear of shootings at their schools.
Within his reports, Murthy has consistently highlighted mental health, a traditionally underrepresented area by previous surgeons general.
While prior leaders chose to focus on physical health issues, Murthy has tackled topics from social media’s effects on youth to the health care worker burnout crisis.
These areas have become central to Murthy’s approach during his tenure.
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated loneliness among Americans, reducing the average daily interaction time to historically low levels. Research indicates that heightened loneliness can increase the risk of premature death significantly.
Post-pandemic, Murthy engaged in consulting and speaking, earning significant income while also authoring a book addressing loneliness.
His focus on mental health stems from personal experiences and is projected to influence future medical practices.
Dr. Murthy plans to continue his advocacy for mental health and loneliness after his term concludes in March, reflecting on lessons learned from his upbringing in Miami.
He attributes his outlook on relationships to his immigrant parents, who created a sense of community in their new home, teaching him the value of compassion and connection.
Throughout his life, Murthy has witnessed firsthand the importance of support networks and has been inspired to promote these values within his public health initiatives.
