In an era where technology drives healthcare innovation, the digital transformation of medical systems has brought unprecedented convenience and efficiency. Electronic Health Records (EHRs), telemedicine, and Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) devices have revolutionized patient care, making it more accessible and personalized. However, this digital shift has also opened a Pandora’s box of vulnerabilities, exposing sensitive patient data to relentless cyberattacks and breaches. Data privacy and security breaches in healthcare are no longer rare incidents—they’re a global epidemic threatening patient trust, organizational integrity, and even human lives.
190 million patient records got affected last year during the UnitedHealth breach
Healthcare data is a goldmine for cybercriminals. Unlike credit card numbers, which can be canceled, medical records contain immutable details—names, birth dates, Social Security numbers, diagnoses, and treatment histories—that can fuel identity theft, insurance fraud, and blackmail for years. In 2024 alone, healthcare accounted for 23% of all data breaches globally, narrowly surpassing the finance sector at 22%, according to posts found on X. This alarming statistic underscores a critical reality: the healthcare industry is under siege, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
This blog dives deep into the world of healthcare data breaches, exploring their causes, consequences, and real-world examples from across the globe. We’ll examine the latest statistics, dissect high-profile case studies, and offer actionable strategies to safeguard sensitive data. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, a policymaker, or a concerned patient, this comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge to navigate this pressing issue.
Why Healthcare Data is a Prime Target
Healthcare data breaches are not random acts of cybercrime—they’re calculated attacks driven by the immense value of Protected Health Information (PHI). A single medical record can fetch up to $363 on the dark web, dwarfing the $1-$2 price tag of credit card details, according to a 2016 report by the Infosec Institute. Why? Because PHI is a treasure trove of personal details that can’t be easily changed, making it a long-term asset for criminals.
The stakes are even higher when you consider the sheer volume of data involved. In the United States, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reported that 168 million individuals were affected by healthcare data breaches in 2024 alone, a figure that shattered previous records. Globally, the digitization of healthcare—spanning EHRs, cloud storage, and wearable devices—has created a sprawling attack surface that cybercriminals exploit with alarming frequency.
But it’s not just external hackers at play. Insider threats, outdated security systems, and human error amplify the risks. A 2024 study by PwC found that 82% of healthcare organizations couldn’t quantify the damage from insider attacks, highlighting a pervasive blind spot. Add to that the regulatory pressures—like the U.S. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) or the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)—and it’s clear why healthcare is both a lucrative and vulnerable target.
The Anatomy of a Healthcare Data Breach
Understanding how breaches occur is the first step to preventing them. Healthcare data breaches stem from a variety of sources, each with its own challenges:
1. Hacking and Ransomware Attacks
Hacking remains the dominant threat, accounting for 47% of healthcare breaches in the U.S. in 2023, per Definitive Healthcare. Ransomware, a subset of hacking, locks organizations out of their systems until a ransom is paid. The 2024 Change Healthcare breach in the U.S., which exposed 100 million records, was a ransomware attack orchestrated by the ALPHV/BlackCat group. The attackers demanded $22 million, only to pull an “exit scam” and vanish with the funds, leaving the data at risk.
2. Insider Threats
Negligent employees or malicious insiders contribute to 61% of healthcare data breach threats, according to a 2024 GetAstra report. Whether it’s an accidental email leak or a disgruntled worker selling PHI, insiders pose a persistent danger. In 2023, 39% of healthcare organizations didn’t detect breaches until months after the fact, per the same report.
3. Unsecured Devices and Systems
The proliferation of IoMT devices—think smart infusion pumps or fitness trackers—introduces new vulnerabilities. A Tenable cybersecurity report gave the healthcare industry a 54% grade for cyber assurance, citing outdated software and weak passwords as common culprits. In 2023, 60% of medical devices had at least six vulnerabilities, many at their end-of-life stage.
4. Third-Party Vendor Risks
Business associates—like billing companies or software vendors—are increasingly targeted. The 2023 Perry Johnson & Associates (PJ&A) breach in the U.S. affected 9 million patients via a vendor compromise, illustrating how third-party weaknesses ripple through the ecosystem.
5. Phishing and Social Engineering
Phishing emails, often disguised as legitimate healthcare communications, trick users into revealing credentials. In 2024, 18.1% of U.S. healthcare breaches originated from email attacks, down from 22.9% in 2022, but still a significant threat, per the HHS Breach Portal.
The Devastating Consequences of Healthcare Data Breaches
The fallout from a healthcare breach extends far beyond stolen data. The consequences are multifaceted, affecting patients, providers, and society at large.
1. Patient Harm
When medical records are tampered with or exposed, patient safety is at risk. A 2024 GetAstra study found that 36% of healthcare facilities reported increased medical complications due to ransomware disruptions. Misinformation from altered records can lead to incorrect treatments, with potentially fatal outcomes.
2. Financial Losses
The average cost of a healthcare data breach in 2023 was $10.1 million, per IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report, triple the cross-industry average of $4.24 million. For patients, identity theft and fraudulent medical claims drain personal finances, often undetected for months.
3. Reputational Damage
Trust is the bedrock of healthcare. A single breach can erode patient confidence, as seen in the 2015 Anthem Inc. breach in the U.S., where 78.8 million records were compromised. Anthem paid a record $115 million settlement, but the reputational scars lingered.
4. Legal and Regulatory Penalties
Non-compliance with regulations like HIPAA or GDPR carries steep fines. In 2020, the U.S. Office for Civil Rights (OCR) imposed 11 penalties for HIPAA Right of Access violations, a trend that continued with 43 penalties by March 2023. In Europe, GDPR fines can reach €20 million or 4% of annual revenue, whichever is higher.
5. Operational Disruptions
Ransomware attacks, like the 2024 Ascension health system breach in the U.S., halt operations, delaying critical care. Ascension, with 140 hospitals, took weeks to restore its EHRs, underscoring the real-world impact on patient outcomes.
Global Case Studies: Lessons from Major Breaches
Real-world examples highlight the scope and complexity of healthcare data breaches. Here are five high-profile incidents from around the world:
1. Change Healthcare (United States, 2024)
- Scale: More than 190 million records exposed, the largest U.S. healthcare breach to date.
- Details: The ALPHV/BlackCat ransomware group infiltrated Change Healthcare, a UnitedHealth subsidiary, disrupting payment processing nationwide. After UnitedHealth paid a $22 million ransom, the attackers absconded, leaving data vulnerable.
- Lesson: Even hefty ransoms don’t guarantee data security, emphasizing the need for robust prevention over reaction.
2. WannaCry Attack on NHS (United Kingdom, 2017)
- Scale: 200,000+ devices affected across 150 countries, with the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) hit hardest.
- Details: The WannaCry ransomware exploited unpatched Windows systems, locking NHS staff out of 70,000 devices. It cost £92 million in disruptions and recovery.
- Lesson: Regular software updates are non-negotiable; outdated systems are low-hanging fruit for attackers.
3. SingHealth Breach (Singapore, 2018)
- Scale: 1.5 million patient records, including Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s, stolen.
- Details: A state-sponsored attack targeted SingHealth’s database via a phishing email, exposing medication and outpatient data. It was deemed Singapore’s worst cyberattack.
- Lesson: High-profile targets require advanced threat detection; no system is immune to nation-state actors.
4. L’Assurance Maladie (France, 2023)
- Scale: 510,000 individuals affected.
- Details: Hackers used stolen credentials from a dark web forum to breach 19 pharmacist accounts, accessing insurance data. The breach exposed names, birth dates, and Social Security numbers.
- Lesson: Multi-factor authentication (MFA) could have thwarted this attack, highlighting the need for basic security hygiene.
5. Ramsay Health Care (Australia, 2020)
- Scale: 1,000+ servers compromised, affecting 67 facilities.
- Details: A ransomware attack disrupted operations across Ramsay’s private hospitals, with attackers demanding payment to unlock systems. Patient data exposure was limited, but operational chaos ensued.
- Lesson: Network segmentation can limit breach spread, a critical defense against ransomware.
6. Anthem Data Breach (2015) – Largest Healthcare Breach in U.S. History
- Records Exposed: 78.8 million
- Cause: Phishing attack leading to unauthorized database access
- Impact: Class-action lawsuit settlement of $115 million
7. Australian Medicare Breach (2017)
- Cause: Dark web sale of Medicare card numbers
- Impact: Exposure of 30,000+ records
8. AIIMS Ransomware Attack (India, 2022)
- Impact: Critical systems were down for over two weeks, affecting patient care and medical research.
- Cause: Phishing and unauthorized access.
Brief Statistics That Paint a Grim Picture
Numbers don’t lie, and the data on healthcare breaches is sobering:
- U.S. Surge: 745 large-scale breaches in 2023, up from 491 in the first nine months of 2024, per Statista.
- Global Impact: 190 million records stolen in the Change Healthcare breach alone, per posts on X in 2025.
- Cost Per Record: $408 per breached healthcare record in 2023, versus $148 cross-industry, per IBM.
- Ransomware Losses: $157 million in U.S. healthcare losses since 2016, with $25 billion in 2019 alone, per GetAstra.
- Detection Lag: 39% of breaches undetected for months, per PwC’s 2024 survey.
- Device Vulnerabilities: 70% of healthcare organizations report longer hospital stays due to ransomware, per a 2023 survey.
- India alone reported 1.9 million cyberattacks on healthcare systems in 2022 (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team).
These figures reveal a systemic crisis, where the pace of breaches outstrips defensive measures.
Strategies to Combat Healthcare Data Breaches
The battle against breaches isn’t hopeless. Here are proven strategies to bolster data privacy and security:
1. Strengthen Cybersecurity Infrastructure
- Encryption: Encrypt data at rest and in transit to render it useless to thieves.
- MFA: Require multiple authentication layers to thwart credential theft.
- Patching: Update software promptly to close vulnerabilities, as seen in the WannaCry debacle.
2. Train Staff Relentlessly
- Awareness: Educate employees on phishing and insider threats—67% of Germans surveyed by PwC in 2024 supported mandatory training.
- Simulation: Conduct mock attacks to test response readiness.
3. Leverage Advanced Technologies
- Blockchain: Secure EHRs with tamper-proof ledgers; spending on blockchain in healthcare is projected to hit $5.61 billion by 2025.
- AI: Use artificial intelligence to detect anomalies in real time, reducing detection lag.
- Dark Web Monitoring: Scan for leaked credentials to preempt attacks.
4. Vet Third-Party Vendors
- Risk Assessments: Regularly audit business associates for compliance, as recommended by NIST and HITRUST frameworks.
- Contracts: Enforce strict security clauses in vendor agreements.
5. Prepare for the Worst
- Incident Response: Develop and test breach response plans to minimize damage.
- Backups: Maintain offline backups to restore systems post-ransomware.
6. Comply with Regulations
- HIPAA/GDPR: Align with legal standards to avoid fines and ensure patient rights.
- Reporting: Adhere to breach notification rules—HIPAA mandates reporting breaches of 500+ records within 60 days.
The Role of Patients in Data Protection
Patients aren’t powerless. Here’s how individuals can safeguard their health data:
- Monitor Statements: Check insurance and medical bills for unfamiliar charges.
- Use Strong Passwords: Secure patient portals with unique, complex credentials.
- Opt for MFA: Enable two-factor authentication wherever available.
- Enroll in Protection Services: Accept free credit monitoring post-breach, as offered in the Change Healthcare case.
The Future of Healthcare Data Security
The road ahead is fraught with challenges, but innovation offers hope. Emerging trends include:
- Zero Trust Architecture: Verify every user and device, assuming no one is inherently safe.
- Quantum Encryption: Leverage quantum computing for unbreakable security.
- Global Collaboration: Share threat intelligence across borders to combat state-sponsored attacks.
Legislative updates, like the U.S.’s HTI-3 rule in 2024 or proposed HIPAA Security Rule changes, signal a tougher stance on breaches. Yet, with healthcare cybersecurity jobs taking 70% longer to fill than general IT roles (GetAstra, 2024), talent shortages remain a hurdle.
Common Causes of Healthcare Data Breaches
1. Ransomware Attacks
Hackers deploy ransomware to encrypt hospital data and demand hefty payments for decryption keys. Example:
- WannaCry Attack (2017) – Affected the UK’s NHS, disrupting 80 hospitals and forcing them to cancel 19,000 appointments.
2. Phishing Attacks
Cybercriminals use deceptive emails to trick employees into revealing login credentials.
- Case Study: In 2020, the UCSF Medical School paid $1.14 million after a phishing-induced ransomware attack.
3. Insider Threats
Malicious or negligent employees can leak or misuse patient information.
- Example: A former Mayo Clinic employee accessed patient records without authorization, leading to a lawsuit in 2021.
4. Unsecured Databases & Cloud Storage
Poorly configured cloud storage often exposes medical records.
- Example: In 2019, over 1 billion medical images were found exposed on publicly accessible servers.
5. Third-Party Vendor Vulnerabilities
Healthcare providers often rely on third-party billing, lab, or software services that may have weak security measures.
- Case Study: Accellion Data Breach (2021) – Exposed records of 3.5 million individuals from healthcare clients.
Consequences of Data Breaches in Healthcare
For Patients
- Identity theft and financial fraud
- Exposure of sensitive medical conditions
- Psychological stress and loss of trust in healthcare providers
For Healthcare Organizations
- Financial losses due to lawsuits and fines
- Reputational damage
- Disruption in patient care services
- Increased insurance premiums
Legal Framework and Compliance Measures
U.S.: HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)
- Ensures the protection of patient data.
- Violations can lead to fines up to $1.5 million per year.
Europe: GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)
- Requires healthcare providers to safeguard personal data.
- Non-compliance can lead to fines of €20 million or 4% of global revenue.
India: DISHA (Digital Information Security in Healthcare Act)
- Focuses on securing digital health data and patient rights.
How to Prevent Data Breaches in Healthcare
1. Implement Stronger Cybersecurity Measures
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
- Advanced firewalls and intrusion detection systems
2. Conduct Regular Security Audits & Risk Assessments
- Identify weak points and remediate vulnerabilities.
3. Educate Healthcare Staff
- Conduct anti-phishing training programs.
- Implement access controls with role-based permissions.
4. Encrypt and Secure Patient Data
- Use end-to-end encryption and secure cloud storage.
5. Strengthen Third-Party Vendor Security
- Ensure partners comply with stringent security standards.
6. Have a Robust Incident Response Plan
- Quick identification and mitigation of breaches can minimize damage.
Future Trends in Healthcare Cybersecurity
1. AI-Powered Threat Detection
- AI is increasingly being used to identify abnormal behavior patterns in real-time.
2. Blockchain for Secure Patient Records
- Decentralized data storage can prevent unauthorized access.
3. Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA)
- Assumes no user or system is trustworthy by default, requiring strict verification.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
Data privacy and security breaches in healthcare are a global crisis demanding urgent attention. From the 100 million records lost in the U.S. to the NHS’s £92 million ransomware hit, the evidence is clear: no region is spared, and no system is invincible. The cost—financial, operational, and human—is staggering, yet preventable with the right measures.
Healthcare organizations must prioritize cybersecurity, investing beyond the current 4-7% of IT budgets (GetAstra, 2024). Governments must enforce stricter regulations and foster international cooperation. Patients must stay vigilant, demanding transparency and accountability.
This isn’t just about protecting data—it’s about preserving trust, safety, and the integrity of healthcare itself. The question isn’t if the next breach will happen, but when. Will we be ready?
FAQs: Data Privacy and Security Breaches in Healthcare
Q1: What is a healthcare data breach?
A: A healthcare data breach occurs when unauthorized individuals gain access to sensitive patient information, such as Protected Health Information (PHI), which includes names, Social Security numbers, medical histories, and insurance details. These breaches can result from hacking, ransomware, insider mistakes, or physical theft. In 2024, the U.S. saw 168 million individuals affected by such incidents, per the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Breaches compromise patient privacy, disrupt care, and often lead to identity theft or fraud, making them a critical issue in the healthcare sector.
Q2: Why is healthcare data so valuable to cybercriminals?
A: Healthcare data is a goldmine because it contains immutable personal details—birth dates, diagnoses, and more—that can’t be changed like a credit card number. On the dark web, a medical record fetches up to $363, far exceeding the $1-$2 for credit card data (Infosec Institute, 2016). This high value stems from its versatility: criminals use it for identity theft, insurance fraud, or even blackmail, amplifying the long-term damage compared to other data types.
Q3: How common are data breaches in healthcare?
A: Extremely common and rising. In 2023, the U.S. reported 745 large-scale healthcare breaches, with 491 in the first nine months of 2024 alone (Statista). Globally, healthcare accounted for 23% of all breaches in 2024, per X posts, edging out finance. The Change Healthcare breach in 2024, affecting 100 million records, exemplifies the scale. With digital systems expanding, breaches are now a near-daily threat worldwide.
Q4: What are the main causes of healthcare data breaches?
A: Breaches stem from multiple sources: hacking (47% of U.S. cases in 2023, Definitive Healthcare), ransomware, insider threats (61% of risks, GetAstra 2024), unsecured devices, third-party vendor weaknesses, and phishing (18.1% of U.S. breaches in 2024, HHS). Human error, like weak passwords or unpatched software, often amplifies these risks, creating a complex web of vulnerabilities.
Q5: What is ransomware, and how does it affect healthcare?
A: Ransomware is malicious software that locks systems or data until a ransom is paid. In healthcare, it’s devastating—disrupting Electronic Health Records (EHRs) and delaying care. The 2024 Ascension breach in the U.S. halted operations across 140 hospitals, while the 2017 WannaCry attack cost the UK’s NHS £92 million. A 2023 survey found 70% of healthcare organizations reported longer hospital stays due to such attacks.
Q6: How do insider threats contribute to healthcare breaches?
A: Insider threats involve employees or contractors, either negligent or malicious, compromising data. They account for 61% of breach risks (GetAstra 2024). Examples include emailing PHI to personal accounts or selling data. In 2023, 39% of breaches went undetected for months, per PwC, often because organizations overlook internal vulnerabilities.
Q7: What role do medical devices play in data breaches?
A: Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) devices—like smart pumps or wearables—expand the attack surface. A 2023 Tenable report found 60% of medical devices had six or more vulnerabilities, often due to outdated software. Weak security on these devices can grant hackers entry to broader networks, as seen in ransomware spread.
Q8: How do third-party vendors increase breach risks?
A: Vendors like billing firms or software providers handle PHI but may lack robust security. The 2023 Perry Johnson & Associates breach in the U.S. exposed 9 million records via a vendor flaw. With healthcare relying on interconnected ecosystems, a single weak link can trigger widespread damage.
Q9: What are the consequences of a healthcare data breach?
A: Consequences are severe: patient harm (36% of facilities report complications, GetAstra 2024), financial losses ($10.1 million average cost, IBM 2023), reputational damage (e.g., Anthem’s 2015 breach), legal penalties (HIPAA fines up to $1.5 million annually), and operational chaos (e.g., Ascension’s 2024 outage). The ripple effects can last years.
Q10: Can healthcare breaches affect patient safety?
A: Yes, directly. Altered records from breaches can lead to wrong treatments, while ransomware delays care. In 2024, 36% of U.S. healthcare facilities linked ransomware to medical complications (GetAstra). The stakes are life-or-death, unlike breaches in other sectors.
Q11: What was the Change Healthcare breach of 2024?
A: The largest U.S. healthcare breach ever, it exposed 100 million records. The ALPHV/BlackCat ransomware group attacked Change Healthcare, a UnitedHealth subsidiary, disrupting payments nationwide. A $22 million ransom was paid, but attackers vanished, leaving data at risk. It’s a stark reminder of ransomware’s scale and unpredictability.
Q12: How did the WannaCry attack impact the NHS?
A: In 2017, WannaCry ransomware hit the UK’s NHS, locking 70,000 devices across 150 countries. It exploited unpatched Windows systems, costing £92 million in disruptions and recovery. Appointments were canceled, and care delayed, highlighting the dangers of outdated infrastructure.
Q13: What happened in the SingHealth breach in Singapore?
A: In 2018, hackers stole 1.5 million patient records, including the Prime Minister’s, from SingHealth via a phishing email. Deemed Singapore’s worst cyberattack, it exposed medication data and underscored vulnerabilities to state-sponsored threats, urging better detection systems.
Q14: How did the L’Assurance Maladie breach occur in France?
A: In 2023, hackers used stolen pharmacist credentials from the dark web to breach 19 accounts, exposing 510,000 insurance records. Basic security like multi-factor authentication (MFA) could have prevented it, showing how simple oversights fuel breaches.
Q15: What lessons came from the Ramsay Health Care breach in Australia?
A: In 2020, ransomware hit Ramsay’s 67 facilities, compromising 1,000+ servers. While patient data exposure was limited, operational disruptions were severe. It taught the value of network segmentation to contain attacks.
Q16: How much do healthcare breaches cost organizations?
A: A lot—$10.1 million on average in 2023, triple the cross-industry $4.24 million (IBM). Per record, it’s $408 versus $148 elsewhere. Costs include fines, lawsuits, recovery, and lost trust, making healthcare the priciest sector for breaches.
Q17: What regulations govern healthcare data privacy?
A: Key laws include HIPAA (U.S.), capping fines at $1.5 million annually, and GDPR (EU), with penalties up to €20 million or 4% of revenue. Both mandate data protection and breach reporting—HIPAA within 60 days for 500+ records, GDPR within 72 hours.
Q18: How can healthcare organizations prevent data breaches?
A: Use encryption, MFA, and regular patching; train staff on phishing; deploy AI for threat detection; vet vendors; and maintain offline backups. Spending 4-7% of IT budgets on security (GetAstra 2024) isn’t enough—proactive investment is key.
Q19: What is multi-factor authentication (MFA), and why does it matter?
A: MFA requires multiple verification steps—like a password and a texted code—to access systems. It’s critical because stolen credentials, as in the 2023 France breach, are a top entry point. MFA slashes unauthorized access risks by 99.9%, per Microsoft.
Q20: How does blockchain improve healthcare data security?
A: Blockchain creates tamper-proof ledgers for EHRs, ensuring data integrity. Spending on it in healthcare is set to hit $5.61 billion by 2025. It’s not a cure-all but adds a robust layer against breaches.
Q21: What role does AI play in preventing breaches?
A: AI detects anomalies—like unusual login patterns—in real time, shrinking the 39% detection lag (PwC 2024). It’s proactive, unlike traditional methods, and can flag threats before damage spreads.
Q22: How can patients protect their healthcare data?
A: Monitor bills for fraud, use strong passwords, enable MFA on portals, and accept post-breach credit monitoring (e.g., Change Healthcare’s offer). Vigilance complements organizational efforts.
Q23: What is the dark web, and how does it relate to breaches?
A: The dark web is a hidden internet layer where stolen data, like the 510,000 records from France’s 2023 breach, is sold. Monitoring it helps organizations preempt misuse, but it’s a symptom of breaches, not the cause.
Q24: Why are healthcare cybersecurity jobs hard to fill?
A: They take 70% longer to fill than general IT roles (GetAstra 2024) due to specialized skills needed—HIPAA knowledge, threat analysis, and more. This talent gap slows breach defenses.
Q25: What is zero trust architecture in healthcare?
A: Zero trust assumes no user or device is safe, requiring constant verification. It’s gaining traction to counter insider and vendor risks, offering a future-proof security model.
Q26: How does phishing target healthcare workers?
A: Phishing emails mimic legitimate sources—like billing notices—to trick workers into sharing credentials. In 2024, 18.1% of U.S. breaches started this way (HHS). Training and email filters are vital defenses.
Q27: What are the long-term effects of a healthcare breach?
A: Beyond immediate costs, patients face identity theft for years, providers lose trust (e.g., Anthem’s 2015 fallout), and care quality dips. Reputational scars and legal battles can persist indefinitely.
Q28: How do breaches differ globally?
A: Scale and motives vary—U.S. sees massive breaches (100 million in 2024), Europe faces GDPR fines, and Asia battles state-sponsored attacks (SingHealth). Resources and regulations shape responses.
Q29: What’s the future of healthcare data security?
A: Expect quantum encryption, zero trust adoption, and global threat-sharing. Legislative updates—like U.S. HTI-3 in 2024—signal tougher rules, but talent shortages and evolving threats remain hurdles.
Q30: Why should patients care about healthcare breaches?
A: Breaches hit wallets (fraud), health (misinformation), and privacy. With 168 million affected in 2024 (HHS), it’s personal—patients must demand security and stay proactive to mitigate risks.
