Public health leaders report widespread harassment, threats after COVID-19

Local, state public health officials overwhelmingly faced serious backlash during pandemic, report reveals

Greater awareness about harassment of public health officials and legislation against tactics like doxxing could help reduce the backlash.

Public health leaders report widespread harassment, threats after COVID-19

Backlash against public health officials, including intimidation and threats of physical harm, has been widespread in the years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and public health officials face ongoing risk in a divisive nation, according to a new study.

Study: Public health leaders face more backlash after COVID-19 pandemic

For the study, 109 public health leaders were interviewed. Of them, more than 70% noted being threatened or harassed.