Report details COVID-related healthcare worker attacks, injuries, deaths around the world

August 28, 2024

During the first 3 years of the pandemic, at least 255 healthcare workers (HCWs) around the world were attacked, 18 were killed, 147 were injured, and 86 facilities were damaged, finds a report published last week in Health Security.

Led by researchers in the Netherlands, the study extracted data on global COVID-related attacks against HCWs from the Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition database from January 2020 to January 2023. The team included incidents related to COVID-19 public health measures or interference with COVID-19 care, including attacks related to conflict.

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"Due to underreporting, the data presented are a minimum estimate of the actual magnitude of violence," the study authors wrote. "The findings of this study emphasize the importance of public education campaigns, improved coordination between healthcare organizations and law enforcement, and the possible need to bolster the security of medical facilities and health workers."

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/report-details-covid-related-healthcare-worker-attacks-injuries-deaths-around-world

https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/hs.2023.0114