Health data breaches are a daily threat.

Jacob Mathew
1 min readSep 23, 2024

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They reshape healthcare.

Your data might not be safe.

Health data isn’t just medical records. It’s a complex web of personal information that paints a picture of your wellbeing.

What counts as health data?
• Clinical info & health conditions
• Healthcare service records
• Personal health & genetic data
• Socioeconomic & behavioral data

Breaches are alarmingly common. They happen almost daily, affecting hundreds of Americans each time.

In 2023, hackers leaked sensitive photos of cancer patients from a Pennsylvania hospital network.

The aftermath:
• Emotional trauma for patients
• $65 million settlement
• Up to $75,000 per affected patient
• Shattered trust in healthcare

Long-term impacts go beyond the initial breach:
• 65% of victims lose trust in the organization
• 52% would pay more for better data security
• Many patients switch providers or withhold info

For healthcare orgs, the consequences are severe:
• Reputational damage
• Financial losses
• Regulatory scrutiny
• Decreased staff morale

Rebuilding trust is crucial. Healthcare orgs must:
• Communicate transparently
• Enhance security measures
• Provide patient support
• Train staff thoroughly

The path forward: A culture of data protection. It’s not just an IT issue — it’s fundamental to patient care and organizational integrity.

Protect your health data.
What steps are you taking to protect your health data?

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