Tackling the $18 Billion Crisis: Why Healthcare Violence Demands Urgent Action

Healthcare workers dedicate their lives to caring for others — yet today, they’re facing an escalating threat to their own safety. According to the American Hospital Association (AHA)’s June 2025 report, U.S. hospitals and health systems spent an estimated $18.27 billion in 2023 dealing with workplace and community violence.

That staggering figure includes $3.62 billion on prevention and $14.65 billion on post-event response — an imbalance that paints a clear picture of a system forced into reaction mode rather than prevention.

A Human and Financial Emergency

Healthcare workers are five times more likely to experience workplace violence than employees in other sectors. The consequences go far beyond financial strain. Violence leads to burnout, trauma, turnover, and declining trust — threatening both patient care and workforce sustainability.

From emergency departments and psychiatric units to rural hospitals, aggression linked to long wait times, substance use, and community tensions has become a daily reality. As the AHA notes, this isn’t just a workforce issue — it’s a public health and policy emergency.

The Cost of Reactivity

The report reveals that 80% of healthcare violence spending happens after incidents occur, with hospitals covering costs related to victim recovery, absenteeism, litigation, property damage, and reputation loss. Only 20% is invested in proactive safety measures such as staff training, physical security, technology, and facility design.

This imbalance shows a system spending far more to treat the aftermath of violence than to prevent it. Evidence from safety programs worldwide indicates that targeted prevention can reduce assault rates by 20–60% — saving both lives and money.

A Turning Point in Legislation

Momentum is building for change. The newly introduced Save Healthcare Workers Act (H.R.3178 / S.1600) would make assaulting hospital staff a federal crime, mirroring protections already in place for airline workers. With bipartisan support, the legislation introduces penalties of up to 10 years in prison for aggravated assaults and serves as a powerful deterrent for violence against caregivers.

The AHA, Emergency Nurses Association, and American College of Emergency Physicians have all endorsed the bill, recognizing it as a long-overdue layer of protection.

Technology’s Role in Prevention

While policy change is vital, technology also plays a key role in shifting hospitals from reactive to proactive safety. From wearable panic devices and incident management platforms to real-time location and communication tools, digital safety systems give staff the ability to signal for help instantly, improving response times and reducing harm.

At Locate Global, we believe technology should empower every healthcare worker to feel safe — wherever they are, whenever they need help. Our solutions are designed to support workforce safety, incident visibility, and faster emergency coordination across hospitals and healthcare environments.

The Path Forward

The numbers in the AHA report are a wake-up call. Healthcare organizations can no longer afford to view workplace violence as a cost of doing business. Prevention must become the priority — for the sake of caregivers, patients, and the sustainability of care systems everywhere.

By combining legislative protection, organizational commitment, and smart technology, the industry can turn the tide on violence and reclaim a safer, more resilient healthcare future.

Download the full report here or learn more about our incident management platform here.