Threats to healthcare sector targets likely to stay 'elevated' amid cultural wars: DHS [View all]
Source: ABC News
March 4, 2024, 5:05 AM
Threats to healthcare locations and those who work there are surging and are likely to stay "elevated," as a result of cultural and divisive issues like abortion, gender-related care and a hangover from debates caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, federal intelligence analysts said.
The brew of hot-button socio-medical issues litigated both in the public square and in the courts will "amplify the healthcare sector's visibility as a potential target for attack" by domestic extremists, according to a new briefing memo issued by the Department of Homeland Security on Feb. 26.
The confidential analysis, obtained by ABC News, describes a diverse array of dangers these mounting threats could pose: from harm to patients through compromised care, to causing a chilling effect on clinicians through harassment and intimidation, to ideologically motivated cyber attacks targeting healthcare providers and networks.
"Violent extremist threats against the healthcare and public health sector have diversified since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, and will likely remain elevated in the post-pandemic era due to the expansion of medical-related ideological grievances," the DHS bulletin said.
Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/US/threats-healthcare-sector-targets-stay-elevated-amid-cultural/story?id=107747192
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