Last month, the U.S. Surgeon General called for warning labels on social media and declared gun violence a national health crisis. Only 24% of St. Louis adults surveyed had heard about the social media warning, down from 37% one week prior. Even fewer (23%) had heard about the gun violence declaration, which was also lower than last week (31%).
The Surgeon General’s two big announcements
On June 17, the Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, called on Congress to require labels on social media platforms warning users about their negative effects on young people’s lives. Warning labels could be similar to those required on cigarettes and alcohol. In a randomized study among college students, limiting social media use to 30 minutes daily reduced depression severity.
On June 25, the Surgeon General declared gun violence a public health crisis. Since 2020, gun deaths have been the leading cause of death for children and teens in the U.S.
In our weekly survey of 561 adults from 5 states, Blacks were more likely than Whites to report hearing in the last 7 days about the Surgeon General’s recommendation on warning labels for social media (43% vs. 32%) and the gun violence crisis (42% vs. 34%).
Who is The U.S. Surgeon General?
The U.S. Surgeon General is the chief medical doctor and health educator for the U.S., responsible for providing the public with the best scientific information to improve health. The Surgeon General oversees the U.S. Public Health Service in the Department of Health and Human Services. The office has led successful national responses and campaigns to public health threats like HIV/AIDS, Ebola, Zika, and the opioid crisis while also addressing growing mental health concerns in the U.S.
Take action against social media abuse and gun violence in St. Louis
Share the resources below to help protect St. Louis children from gun violence and create healthier, safer online experiences for them. For information on gun violence prevention, contact the St. Louis Gun Violence Response Network or call 2-1-1 or 800-427-4626. Find social media safety resources at the American Academy of Pediatrics Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health.
Survey information
This week’s report is based on responses from a panel of 561 adult residents of St. Louis, MO (n = 148), Omaha, NE (n = 81), Texas (n = 58), Baltimore, MD (n = 169) and Colorado (n = 101) surveyed July 6-8, 2024. Explore these data and more at iHeardSTL.
Download the graphics below to share about this topic.
Suggested Caption:
🚨 Did you know? The U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, has declared gun violence a national health crisis and is pushing for warning labels on social media platforms. Let’s spread awareness!
#iHeardSTL #PublicHealth #SocialMedia #GunViolence #StayInformed #SurgeonGeneral
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#DidYouKnow the U.S. Surgeon General recently declared gun violence a public health crisis? Here’s what Dr. Vivek Murthy recommended in the June 2024 report.
#iHeardSTL #GunViolence #StayInformed #SurgeonGeneral
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#DidYouKnow the U.S. Surgeon General recently called for social media platforms to add warning labels? Here’s why Dr. Vivek Murthy recommended this in a June 2024 report.
#iHeardSTL #SocialMedia #MentalHealth #StayInformed #SurgeonGeneral
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St. Louisans, your mental health matters! Discover local resources to support your well-being. You’re not alone—reach out and take the first step. 🧠❤
#iHeardSTL #Mental Health #YouAreNotAlone
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