GITNUXREPORT 2026

Healthcare Violence Statistics

Healthcare violence is a widespread and escalating crisis affecting workers globally.

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

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Statistic 1

Nurses comprise 58% of all U.S. healthcare violence victims per 2022 BLS data.

Statistic 2

Physicians faced 32% of workplace threats in AMA 2023 survey of 4,000 doctors.

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EMTs/paramedics had highest assault rate at 2.8 incidents per 100 workers in 2021 NIOSH.

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Nursing assistants in long-term care reported 65% violence exposure in 2022 PHI study.

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Respiratory therapists saw 44% violence rate in hospital settings per AARC 2023 survey.

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Pharmacists experienced 19% robbery-related violence in U.S. 2022 APA data.

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Mental health workers faced 72% aggression rate in psychiatric units 2021 study.

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Radiology techs reported 28% assaults during imaging procedures in 2022 ASRT survey.

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Lab technicians had 15% needle-stick violence injuries in OSHA 2023 analysis.

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Social workers in healthcare settings faced 51% client violence in NASW 2022 report.

Statistic 11

Dentists reported 12% patient assaults in ADA 2023 survey of 2,500 practices.

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Physical therapists experienced 37% hands-on assaults in APTA 2022 data.

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Housekeeping staff in hospitals had 24% violence incidents per AHE 2023.

Statistic 14

Security personnel intervened in 88% of hospital violence events U.S. 2022 IAHSS.

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U.S. emergency departments had 2.5x higher violence rate than other hospital areas in 2022.

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Rural U.S. hospitals saw 30% higher per capita assaults than urban in 2021 HRSA data.

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New York City ERs reported 18,000 assaults annually in 2022 NYDOH stats.

Statistic 18

Florida healthcare violence peaked in Miami-Dade with 45% staff exposure rate 2023.

Statistic 19

London NHS trusts had 25,000 violent incidents in 2022, highest in A&E departments.

Statistic 20

California reported 28,000 workplace violence injuries in healthcare 2022 DWC.

Statistic 21

Texas hospitals in border areas had 40% violence rise post-2020 per HHSC.

Statistic 22

Ontario Canada ERs accounted for 55% of all provincial health violence in 2022.

Statistic 23

Sydney Australia public hospitals saw 40% of national assaults in 2023 NSW Health.

Statistic 24

Paris French hospitals reported 15% annual staff assault rate in 2022 INSERM.

Statistic 25

Mumbai India public hospitals had 80% doctor violence exposure in 2022 survey.

Statistic 26

Johannesburg SA clinics saw 2x violence rate vs. rural areas in 2023 DOH.

Statistic 27

Tokyo Japan psychiatric wards had highest violence at 45% staff rate 2022.

Statistic 28

In 2022, 48% of U.S. nurses reported experiencing physical violence from patients or visitors at least once in the past year, according to a national survey by the American Nurses Association.

Statistic 29

A 2021 study found that 75% of emergency department nurses in California hospitals faced verbal abuse weekly, based on responses from 1,200 nurses.

Statistic 30

Globally, 38% of healthcare workers reported physical violence in the past 12 months per WHO 2023 data from 57 countries.

Statistic 31

In UK NHS hospitals, 14% of staff experienced physical assaults in 2021-2022, totaling over 63,000 incidents reported.

Statistic 32

Australian healthcare workers reported a 25% increase in violence incidents in 2022, with 58,000 assaults logged nationally.

Statistic 33

82% of physicians in a 2020 U.S. survey by AMA had faced some form of workplace violence post-COVID onset.

Statistic 34

In Canadian hospitals, 41% of nurses encountered patient aggression in 2021, per Canadian Nurses Association data.

Statistic 35

New Zealand health sector saw 12,000 violent incidents against staff in 2022, a 15% rise from prior year.

Statistic 36

67% of U.S. paramedics reported physical assaults in 2023 MGMA survey of 3,500 EMS workers.

Statistic 37

European Agency for Safety and Health at Work reported 22% prevalence of violence among healthcare staff in EU in 2022.

Statistic 38

55% of U.S. hospital workers experienced verbal threats in 2021 CDC survey of 10,000 respondents.

Statistic 39

In India, 70% of doctors faced violence in public hospitals per 2022 IMA survey of 5,000 members.

Statistic 40

South African healthcare facilities recorded 8,500 assaults on staff in 2022, up 20% year-over-year.

Statistic 41

Brazilian study showed 61% of nurses in Sao Paulo hospitals experienced violence in 2021.

Statistic 42

44% of U.S. nursing home aides reported physical violence from residents in 2022 DOL survey.

Statistic 43

Japan healthcare workers faced 30,000 violent acts in 2022 per Ministry of Health data.

Statistic 44

52% of Irish hospital staff reported aggression in 2023 HSE annual report.

Statistic 45

Mexico public health centers saw 45% staff violence rate in 2022 IMSS study.

Statistic 46

39% of Swedish emergency staff experienced violence weekly in 2021 study.

Statistic 47

U.S. VA hospitals reported 4,500 assaults on staff in FY2022.

Statistic 48

U.S. healthcare violence incidents rose 25% from 2019 to 2022 per Press Ganey longitudinal data.

Statistic 49

Post-COVID, nurse assaults increased 30% globally per WHO 2023 review of 100 studies.

Statistic 50

UK NHS violence reports up 16% yearly since 2018 per annual staff surveys.

Statistic 51

U.S. ED violence doubled from 2015-2022 in ENA tracking study of 500 hospitals.

Statistic 52

Canada saw 22% rise in healthcare assaults 2020-2023 per CIHI data.

Statistic 53

Australia violence claims in health up 41% since 2018 WorkSafe stats.

Statistic 54

EU healthcare harassment reports increased 18% post-2020 EU-OSHA OSH Pulse.

Statistic 55

India doctor violence incidents tripled 2015-2022 per national registry.

Statistic 56

U.S. nursing homes violence up 35% with dementia cases rise 2018-2022.

Statistic 57

Brazil assaults on health workers rose 50% during pandemic per Fiocruz 2023.

Statistic 58

Sweden violence stable but verbal abuse up 12% since 2019 Arbetsmiljöverket.

Statistic 59

Japan health violence down 5% 2020-2022 due to reduced visits MHLW.

Statistic 60

Mexico IMSS violence claims increased 28% yearly 2019-2023.

Statistic 61

South Africa post-COVID violence surge 40% in urban clinics 2022-2023.

Statistic 62

Ireland HSE violence incidents up 21% from 2019 baseline in 2023 report.

Statistic 63

New Zealand health board assaults rose 18% 2021-2023 MoH data.

Statistic 64

28% of physical assaults on U.S. healthcare workers involved weapons in 2022 OSHA analysis.

Statistic 65

Verbal abuse accounted for 68% of all violence incidents against nurses in a 2021 UK study of 20,000 cases.

Statistic 66

Sexual harassment affected 23% of female healthcare workers in EU per 2022 EU-OSHA survey.

Statistic 67

Patient-perpetrated stabbings rose 35% in U.S. ERs from 2019-2022 per ENA data.

Statistic 68

Threats with firearms occurred in 12% of U.S. hospital violence cases in 2023 Press Ganey survey.

Statistic 69

Intimate partner violence spillover affected 15% of nurses' workplace incidents in Canada 2022 study.

Statistic 70

Chemical assaults (e.g., spitting bodily fluids) reported in 18% of paramedic attacks in Australia 2022.

Statistic 71

Racial slurs in verbal abuse made up 27% of incidents against minority staff in U.S. 2021 survey.

Statistic 72

Property damage during violent episodes impacted 34% of ER violence events in 2022 CDC data.

Statistic 73

Cyberbullying from patients reached 11% of total harassment cases in UK NHS 2023.

Statistic 74

Blunt force trauma from thrown objects in 41% of physical assaults per OSHA 2022 stats.

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Strangulation attempts in 7% of severe assaults on female nurses U.S. 2021 study.

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49% of violence was slapping/punching, 22% kicking in Brazilian nurse survey 2022.

Statistic 77

Elder abuse by residents involved scratching/biting in 29% of nursing home cases 2022.

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From the hospital room to the emergency ward, violence against healthcare workers has become a staggering global epidemic, with nearly half of U.S. nurses reporting physical attacks in just one year and similar crises unfolding from Australia to the UK.

Key Takeaways

In 2022, 48% of U.S. nurses reported experiencing physical violence from patients or visitors at least once in the past year, according to a national survey by the American Nurses Association.
A 2021 study found that 75% of emergency department nurses in California hospitals faced verbal abuse weekly, based on responses from 1,200 nurses.
Globally, 38% of healthcare workers reported physical violence in the past 12 months per WHO 2023 data from 57 countries.
28% of physical assaults on U.S. healthcare workers involved weapons in 2022 OSHA analysis.
Verbal abuse accounted for 68% of all violence incidents against nurses in a 2021 UK study of 20,000 cases.
Sexual harassment affected 23% of female healthcare workers in EU per 2022 EU-OSHA survey.
Nurses comprise 58% of all U.S. healthcare violence victims per 2022 BLS data.
Physicians faced 32% of workplace threats in AMA 2023 survey of 4,000 doctors.
EMTs/paramedics had highest assault rate at 2.8 incidents per 100 workers in 2021 NIOSH.
U.S. emergency departments had 2.5x higher violence rate than other hospital areas in 2022.
Rural U.S. hospitals saw 30% higher per capita assaults than urban in 2021 HRSA data.
New York City ERs reported 18,000 assaults annually in 2022 NYDOH stats.
U.S. healthcare violence incidents rose 25% from 2019 to 2022 per Press Ganey longitudinal data.
Post-COVID, nurse assaults increased 30% globally per WHO 2023 review of 100 studies.
UK NHS violence reports up 16% yearly since 2018 per annual staff surveys.

Healthcare violence is a widespread and escalating crisis affecting workers globally.

Affected Professions

Nurses comprise 58% of all U.S. healthcare violence victims per 2022 BLS data.
Physicians faced 32% of workplace threats in AMA 2023 survey of 4,000 doctors.
EMTs/paramedics had highest assault rate at 2.8 incidents per 100 workers in 2021 NIOSH.
Nursing assistants in long-term care reported 65% violence exposure in 2022 PHI study.
Respiratory therapists saw 44% violence rate in hospital settings per AARC 2023 survey.
Pharmacists experienced 19% robbery-related violence in U.S. 2022 APA data.
Mental health workers faced 72% aggression rate in psychiatric units 2021 study.
Radiology techs reported 28% assaults during imaging procedures in 2022 ASRT survey.
Lab technicians had 15% needle-stick violence injuries in OSHA 2023 analysis.
Social workers in healthcare settings faced 51% client violence in NASW 2022 report.
Dentists reported 12% patient assaults in ADA 2023 survey of 2,500 practices.
Physical therapists experienced 37% hands-on assaults in APTA 2022 data.
Housekeeping staff in hospitals had 24% violence incidents per AHE 2023.
Security personnel intervened in 88% of hospital violence events U.S. 2022 IAHSS.

Affected Professions Interpretation

Healthcare is a field where the odds of being thanked with a kind word are dwarfed by the odds of being kicked, threatened, or worse, proving that compassion is often met with its violent opposite.

Geographic Variations

U.S. emergency departments had 2.5x higher violence rate than other hospital areas in 2022.
Rural U.S. hospitals saw 30% higher per capita assaults than urban in 2021 HRSA data.
New York City ERs reported 18,000 assaults annually in 2022 NYDOH stats.
Florida healthcare violence peaked in Miami-Dade with 45% staff exposure rate 2023.
London NHS trusts had 25,000 violent incidents in 2022, highest in A&E departments.
California reported 28,000 workplace violence injuries in healthcare 2022 DWC.
Texas hospitals in border areas had 40% violence rise post-2020 per HHSC.
Ontario Canada ERs accounted for 55% of all provincial health violence in 2022.
Sydney Australia public hospitals saw 40% of national assaults in 2023 NSW Health.
Paris French hospitals reported 15% annual staff assault rate in 2022 INSERM.
Mumbai India public hospitals had 80% doctor violence exposure in 2022 survey.
Johannesburg SA clinics saw 2x violence rate vs. rural areas in 2023 DOH.
Tokyo Japan psychiatric wards had highest violence at 45% staff rate 2022.

Geographic Variations Interpretation

It seems the world has universally decided that if you're looking for a fight, the emergency room is the statistically optimal place to start.

Incidence and Prevalence

In 2022, 48% of U.S. nurses reported experiencing physical violence from patients or visitors at least once in the past year, according to a national survey by the American Nurses Association.
A 2021 study found that 75% of emergency department nurses in California hospitals faced verbal abuse weekly, based on responses from 1,200 nurses.
Globally, 38% of healthcare workers reported physical violence in the past 12 months per WHO 2023 data from 57 countries.
In UK NHS hospitals, 14% of staff experienced physical assaults in 2021-2022, totaling over 63,000 incidents reported.
Australian healthcare workers reported a 25% increase in violence incidents in 2022, with 58,000 assaults logged nationally.
82% of physicians in a 2020 U.S. survey by AMA had faced some form of workplace violence post-COVID onset.
In Canadian hospitals, 41% of nurses encountered patient aggression in 2021, per Canadian Nurses Association data.
New Zealand health sector saw 12,000 violent incidents against staff in 2022, a 15% rise from prior year.
67% of U.S. paramedics reported physical assaults in 2023 MGMA survey of 3,500 EMS workers.
European Agency for Safety and Health at Work reported 22% prevalence of violence among healthcare staff in EU in 2022.
55% of U.S. hospital workers experienced verbal threats in 2021 CDC survey of 10,000 respondents.
In India, 70% of doctors faced violence in public hospitals per 2022 IMA survey of 5,000 members.
South African healthcare facilities recorded 8,500 assaults on staff in 2022, up 20% year-over-year.
Brazilian study showed 61% of nurses in Sao Paulo hospitals experienced violence in 2021.
44% of U.S. nursing home aides reported physical violence from residents in 2022 DOL survey.
Japan healthcare workers faced 30,000 violent acts in 2022 per Ministry of Health data.
52% of Irish hospital staff reported aggression in 2023 HSE annual report.
Mexico public health centers saw 45% staff violence rate in 2022 IMSS study.
39% of Swedish emergency staff experienced violence weekly in 2021 study.
U.S. VA hospitals reported 4,500 assaults on staff in FY2022.

Incidence and Prevalence Interpretation

This isn't a collection of isolated statistics; it's a global pandemic of aggression revealing the sobering truth that going to work in healthcare increasingly means preparing to be assaulted.

Trends and Changes

U.S. healthcare violence incidents rose 25% from 2019 to 2022 per Press Ganey longitudinal data.
Post-COVID, nurse assaults increased 30% globally per WHO 2023 review of 100 studies.
UK NHS violence reports up 16% yearly since 2018 per annual staff surveys.
U.S. ED violence doubled from 2015-2022 in ENA tracking study of 500 hospitals.
Canada saw 22% rise in healthcare assaults 2020-2023 per CIHI data.
Australia violence claims in health up 41% since 2018 WorkSafe stats.
EU healthcare harassment reports increased 18% post-2020 EU-OSHA OSH Pulse.
India doctor violence incidents tripled 2015-2022 per national registry.
U.S. nursing homes violence up 35% with dementia cases rise 2018-2022.
Brazil assaults on health workers rose 50% during pandemic per Fiocruz 2023.
Sweden violence stable but verbal abuse up 12% since 2019 Arbetsmiljöverket.
Japan health violence down 5% 2020-2022 due to reduced visits MHLW.
Mexico IMSS violence claims increased 28% yearly 2019-2023.
South Africa post-COVID violence surge 40% in urban clinics 2022-2023.
Ireland HSE violence incidents up 21% from 2019 baseline in 2023 report.
New Zealand health board assaults rose 18% 2021-2023 MoH data.

Trends and Changes Interpretation

The unsettling global drumbeat of violence against healthcare workers, from a sharp rise in assaults to a creeping tide of verbal abuse, loudly insists that the very places dedicated to healing are becoming increasingly dangerous for those who work there.

Types of Violence

28% of physical assaults on U.S. healthcare workers involved weapons in 2022 OSHA analysis.
Verbal abuse accounted for 68% of all violence incidents against nurses in a 2021 UK study of 20,000 cases.
Sexual harassment affected 23% of female healthcare workers in EU per 2022 EU-OSHA survey.
Patient-perpetrated stabbings rose 35% in U.S. ERs from 2019-2022 per ENA data.
Threats with firearms occurred in 12% of U.S. hospital violence cases in 2023 Press Ganey survey.
Intimate partner violence spillover affected 15% of nurses' workplace incidents in Canada 2022 study.
Chemical assaults (e.g., spitting bodily fluids) reported in 18% of paramedic attacks in Australia 2022.
Racial slurs in verbal abuse made up 27% of incidents against minority staff in U.S. 2021 survey.
Property damage during violent episodes impacted 34% of ER violence events in 2022 CDC data.
Cyberbullying from patients reached 11% of total harassment cases in UK NHS 2023.
Blunt force trauma from thrown objects in 41% of physical assaults per OSHA 2022 stats.
Strangulation attempts in 7% of severe assaults on female nurses U.S. 2021 study.
49% of violence was slapping/punching, 22% kicking in Brazilian nurse survey 2022.
Elder abuse by residents involved scratching/biting in 29% of nursing home cases 2022.

Types of Violence Interpretation

Healthcare is meant to be a sanctuary of healing, yet these statistics paint a grim portrait of it as a battlefield where nearly a third of physical assaults involve weapons, two-thirds of incidents are verbal abuse, and staff are routinely subjected to everything from strangulation attempts and chemical attacks to racial slurs and cyberbullying.