Now most things are digital, protecting your personal information is crucial, especially your healthcare data. Preppers need to know which states are most vulnerable to health data breaches to stay informed and ready. Here are the top 10 states with the highest rates of health data breaches per 100 health firms, based on data from 2009 to 2024.
10. New Mexico
New Mexico has 1.2 health data breaches per 100 health firms, 37% above the national average. The state has 4,259 health firms and reported 51 breaches. These breaches affected 3,653,249 records, with an average of 71,632 records affected per breach. Stay vigilant if you live here, and take extra steps to secure your personal information.
9. Minnesota
Minnesota has 1.21 breaches per 100 firms, 37% above the national average. The state reported 147 breaches among its 12,191 health firms. These breaches affected 16.17 million individuals, averaging 109,987 individuals affected per breach. This high number highlights the importance of safeguarding your data.
8. Kentucky
Kentucky has 1.26 patient data breaches per 100 health firms, 44% above the national average. The state has 8,082 health firms and reported 102 data breaches. These breaches affected 8.19 million records, with an average of 80,315 records affected per breach. Kentucky residents should be proactive in protecting their health information.
7. Tennessee
Tennessee has 1.26 breaches per 100 healthcare firms, 44% above the national average. The state has 11,158 health firms and reported 141 data breaches. These breaches affected 30.5 million individuals, with an average of 216,223 individuals affected per breach. The large number of affected individuals makes it essential to stay alert.
6. West Virginia
West Virginia has 1.31 patient data breaches per 100 health firms, 49% above the national average. The state reported 40 patient data breaches among its 3,054 health firms. These breaches affected 2 million individuals, with an average of 50,381 individuals affected per breach. West Virginia residents should be prepared for potential data threats.
5. Massachusetts
Massachusetts has 1.32 breaches per 100 health firms, 50% above the national average. The state reported 181 healthcare data breaches among its 13,752 health data firms. These breaches affected 11.28 million records, with an average of 62,333 records affected per breach. Take extra care to monitor your health records in this state.
4. Iowa
Iowa has 1.34 breaches per 100 firms, 53% above the national average. The state has seen 82 health data breaches across its 6,122 health firms since 2009. These breaches affected 5.32 million individuals, averaging 64,905 individuals per breach. Iowa residents should ensure they have strong protections in place.
3. Rhode Island
Rhode Island has 1.39 patient data breaches per 100 firms, 59% higher than the national average. The state reported 33 breaches among its 2,366 health firms. These breaches affected 223,664 individuals, averaging 6,778 people per breach. Theft was the most common type of breach here, so be cautious about physical and digital security.
2. Indiana
Indiana has 1.44 data breaches per 100 healthcare firms, which is 64% above the national average. Indiana has 11,055 health firms and reported 159 data breaches. These breaches affected a staggering 91.53 million records, with an average of 575,652 individuals affected per breach. The sheer volume of affected records makes Indiana particularly concerning.
1. Connecticut
Connecticut tops the list with 1.5 health data breaches per 100 health firms, which is 71% above the national average of 0.88. Over the surveyed period, Connecticut had 115 health data breaches, affecting a total of 3.47 million individuals. This means an average of 30,190 individuals were affected per breach. The most common type of breach in Connecticut was hacking or IT incidents, accounting for 52% of all breaches.
Why You Should Be Worried About Your Healthcare Data
Healthcare data is extremely sensitive and valuable. It includes personal information like your name, address, Social Security number, and medical history. If stolen, this data can be used for identity theft, fraud, and other malicious activities. Hackers can use your information to make fraudulent medical claims, access prescription drugs, or sell your data on the dark web. Protecting your healthcare data is crucial to avoid these risks and maintain your privacy.
How to Check if Your Healthcare Data Has Been Stolen
To check if your healthcare data has been compromised, monitor your medical records regularly. Look for any unfamiliar treatments or prescriptions. You can request a copy of your medical records from your healthcare provider. Also, check your insurance statements for any suspicious activities. Use credit monitoring services to watch for signs of identity theft.
What to Do if Your Healthcare Data Is Stolen
If you discover that your healthcare data has been stolen, act quickly. Notify your healthcare provider and your insurance company immediately. They can help you secure your records and prevent further unauthorized access. File a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze on your accounts. Monitor your credit reports regularly to catch any signs of identity theft early.
Methodology
QR Code Generator put this study together using data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, and the U.S. Census Bureau. The number of health data breaches reported from 2009 to 2024 was compared with the number of health firms in each state as of 2021.
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