Surgeon General

Vivek Murthy, U.S. surgeon general, has called attention to what he has called the 'youth mental health crisis' that is currently happening in the U.S.

This week, he published an op-ed in The New York Times calling for social media warning labels like those put on cigarettes and alcohol. He hopes to warn young people of the danger social media poses to their mental wellbeing and development.

On average, teens in the U.S. are spending nearly 5 hours on social media every single day. And it is negatively impacting their health.

So what options do parents have? And will the government step in?

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U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams says people are tired and aren't taking mitigation measures as seriously as before.

Dr. Vivek Murthy tells NPR: "The reality is that loneliness is a natural signal that our body gives us, similar to hunger, thirst. And that's how important human connection is."

As more than 30 states have liberalized marijuana laws, the use and potency of the drug have increased. The surgeon general says there's no safe amount of marijuana for adolescents and pregnant women.

The U.S. surgeon general has recommended that naloxone, the opioid overdose reversal drug, be widely available to consumers. But there are several barriers to consumers' ability to acquire it.

The drug naloxone can reverse opioid overdoses and save lives. U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams says more Americans should have naloxone on hand in case loved ones, friends or neighbors need help.

The country's top public health advocate says the cycle of opioid addiction won't be stopped without more money from Congress and cooperation among federal, state and local officials.