On Tuesday, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy issued his final recommendations as he prepares to step down from his role as the nation’s chief health officer.

As his term comes to a close, Murthy is encouraging Americans to focus their lives around three key elements: relationships, service, and purpose—what he terms the “triad of fulfillment” and essential foundations of community life.

Murthy has held the position of U.S. Surgeon General twice, serving under Presidents Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden.

At 47, he was appointed by Biden and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in March 2021. He co-founded Doctor’s for America, an organization that advocates for accessible, high-quality healthcare for everyone.

During his time in office, Murthy has focused on understanding the “root causes of pain and unhappiness in our society,” according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

“Dr. Murthy emphasizes that health is more than just medicine and tests; it involves taking the time to listen and address the full spectrum of an individual’s needs,” the department stated. “As America’s Doctor, he has sensed a profound issue among Americans: the decline of our sense of community.”

Moreover, Murthy has called for cultural, policy, and programmatic changes to bolster the nation’s “health, happiness, and fulfillment.”

“Today, we face a significant choice: do we persist in the current state, filled with pain, disconnection, and division? Or do we opt for a different route—one leading to joy, health, and fulfillment, where we turn towards each other instead of away; where we choose love over fear, and view community as an essential foundation for our well-being?” Murthy stated. “As I conclude my tenure as Surgeon General, this is my parting gift, my final wish: embrace community.”

Surgeon General’s guidance: Three essentials for better health

In his concluding guidance, Murthy outlined each of these essential elements and their effects on our well-being:

• Relationships: The connections we form with friends, family, and others can provide joy, support, and resilience against stress. Healthy relationships are crucial, as social isolation can lead to a higher risk of heart issues, dementia, depression, anxiety, and premature death.
• Service: The act of helping others. While service primarily benefits those receiving it, those who serve also reap significant rewards, including reduced risks of high blood pressure, strokes, early death, and depression.
• Purpose: The overarching motivation or aim that directs our choices and actions. It’s not just about ‘what’ we do, but ‘why’ we do it. A strong sense of purpose contributes positively to mental and physical health, reducing depression and stress levels.

What is the term length for the U.S. Surgeon General?

The U.S. Surgeon General holds office for a four-year term.

The responsibilities include providing the public with the most reliable scientific information on how to enhance their health and minimize the risk of illness and injury.

This past Friday, Murthy raised concerns over the need for cancer warnings on alcoholic beverages after reports linked alcohol to several types of cancer, including breast cancer.

He released a new advisory titled Surgeon General’s Advisory on Alcohol and Cancer Risk, which details the connection between alcohol consumption and increased cancer risks.

Who will be the next U.S. Surgeon General?

In late November, President-elect Trump nominated family medicine physician and Fox News contributor Janette Nesheiwat as the next surgeon general.

Nesheiwat, 48, currently serves as the Medical Director at CityMD, a chain of urgent care clinics in New York and New Jersey. She has also worked as a physician at Washington Regional Medical Center and Northwest Medical Hospital.