HHS: 1K breaches have affected 32M people

Laura Pedulli | | Health Exec | Cybersecurity

Since 2009, the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) has reported more than 1,000 medical record breaches affecting 500 or more individuals.

To date, HHS has recorded 1,027 breaches that have cumulatively impacted 31.7 million individuals. Causes include theft (529 breaches); unauthorized access and disclosure (165 breaches); unknown/other (113 breaches); loss of data (102 breaches); hacking (76 breaches); and improper disposal (42 breaches).

States with the most breaches include California (110); Texas (82); and Florida (65).

The agency has reported a total of 116,000 breaches involving the records of fewer than 500 people through March 1, 2013.

Speaking at a recent American Bar Association conference, HHS Chief Rights Counsel Jerome Meites said he expects penalties for HIPAA violations to increase significantly next year, according to an article in The Hill. Since 2013, the agency has received more than $10 million for alleged HIPAA violations.

To access HHS’ database, go here.

Laura Pedulli

Related Content

FBI seeking extradition of Israeli prisoner accused of $500M in ransomware attacks
Data breach at chain of clinics impacts 450K patients
Nebraska becomes first state to sue Change Healthcare over data breach
Christmas ransomware exposed over 300K patient records to dark web
Cryo-frozen tissue manufacturer suffers cyberattack
First surgical device of its kind granted key FDA exemption

Around the web

Cardiovascular Business
FDA says years-long tirzepatide shortage is resolved, will give limited leeway to compounders

The tirzepatide shortage that first began in 2022 has been resolved. Drug companies distributing compounded versions of the popular drug now have two to three more months to distribute their remaining supply.

AI in Healthcare
From Capitol Hill to a hospital near you? 5 federal recommendations for healthcare AI policy

The 24 members of the House Task Force on AI—12 reps from each party—have posted a 253-page report detailing their bipartisan vision for encouraging innovation while minimizing risks. 

Cardiovascular Business
Merck spends up to $2B to license new weight loss drug with potential heart benefits

Merck sent Hansoh Pharma, a Chinese biopharmaceutical company, an upfront payment of $112 million to license a new investigational GLP-1 receptor agonist. There could be many more payments to come if certain milestones are met.