Alert: The Top 10 States with the Highest Health Data Breaches – Is Yours on the List? – Simple Family Preparedness

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.

20 Crucial Supplies for Surviving a Societal Collapse

In the face of uncertainty, being well-prepared gives you at least some degree of control and security. The thought of a societal collapse, while extreme, prompts us to consider how we might endure without the conveniences of our current lifestyle. Here’s a list of 20 essential items that could prove indispensable in such a scenario. This guide isn’t about succumbing to fear but embracing preparedness and resilience.

14 Essential Canned Goods for Your Emergency Pantry

I firmly believe in keeping a well-stocked emergency pantry. While fresh food is ideal, in a survival situation, we may not be that lucky. So, for my family, even though we grow a lot of our own food, canned goods play a crucial role in emergency preparedness. They offer a reliable source of nutrition when access to fresh produce may be limited. The goods you stockpile should be affordable, easy to store, and full of nutrition.

Best Regions in the U.S. to Escape to When Society Collapses

Choosing a refuge in the event of societal collapse involves weighing the pros and cons of each location against your personal preparedness goals and abilities. Whether you’re drawn to the solitude of the desert or the protective heights of the mountains, the key is finding a place that offers safety and the opportunity for growth and renewal.

Katy Willis is a writer, lifelong homesteader, and master herbalist, master gardener, and canine nutritionist. Katy is a preparedness expert and modern homesteader practicing everyday preparedness, sustainability, and a holistic lifestyle.

She knows how important it is to be prepared for whatever life throws at you, because you just never know what’s coming. And preparedness helps you give your family the best chance to thrive in any situation.

Katy is passionate about living naturally, growing food, keeping livestock, foraging, and making and using herbal remedies. Katy is an experienced herbalist and a member of the CMA (Complementary Medical Association).

Her preparedness skills go beyond just being “ready”, she’s ready to survive the initial disaster, and thrive afterward, too. She grows 100% organic food on roughly 15 acres and raises goats, chickens, and ducks. She also lovingly tends her orchard, where she grows many different fruit trees. And, because she likes to know exactly what she’s feeding her family, she’s a seasoned from-scratch cook and gluten-free baker.

Katy teaches foraging and environmental education classes, too, including self-sufficient living, modern homesteading, seed saving, and organic vegetable gardening.

Katy helps others learn forgotten skills, including basic survival skills and self-reliance.

She’s been published on sites such as MSN, Angi, Home Advisor, Family Handyman, Wealth of Geeks, Readers Digest, and more.