Ransomware attacks on U.S. health care double
Facts at your Fingertips
By Emily Margosian, Assistant Editor, February 1, 2024
Ransomware is on the rise. A recent JAMA Health Forum study found that the annual number of ransomware attacks on health care organizations more than doubled from 2016 to 2021, exposing the personal health information (PHI) of nearly 42 million patients.
Clinics (of all specialties) were the most common health care delivery organization type to experience a ransomware attack, followed by hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, mental/behavioral health organizations, dental practices, and post-acute care organizations.
During the period surveyed, the study found that ransomware attacks exposed larger quantitates of PHI and grew more likely to affect larger organizations with multiple facilities, suggesting that attacks are increasing in frequency and sophistication. For an illustrated view of recent ransomware trends in health care, see the graphic below.
