Violence costs hospitals more than $18 billion annually, report finds

The American Hospital Association released a report finding hospitals and health systems spent nearly $18.3 billion in 2023 to prevent and respond to violence in their facilities and communities. The costs included health care treatment for victims, security staffing for health care facilities and violence prevention programs and training, according to the report, which was prepared by Harborview Injury and Prevention Research Center at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle. The AHA released the report before the ninth annual #HAVhope Friday on June 6. #HAVhope Friday is a national day of awareness to highlight how U.S. hospitals combat violence in their workplaces and communities. (AHA News article, 6/2/25)