Public Health Leaders Faced Threats During Pandemic

A study found that 76% of interviewed health leaders encountered harassment or threats during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in COVID-19

Public Health Leaders Faced Threats During Pandemic

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Do you trust your local health department to carry out its work without public interference?

A study of 109 state and local public health leaders across 18 states revealed that 76% faced threats or harassment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, 47% of the interviewed leaders reported that their work was actively undermined.

Why it matters

The high prevalence of harassment and the documented departure of officials highlight significant challenges to the stability of the public health workforce during national emergencies. These findings underscore the professional strain experienced by those managing large-scale health crises.

A survey of 109 public health leaders across 18 states found that 61% of female officials and 44% of male officials experienced extraordinary backlash. Between March 2020 and January 2021, the sector saw 1,499 harassment incidents and 222 total departures.

The players

Commonwealth Fund

This is a private foundation that supports independent research on health care issues and improves health care practice and policy.

Mellon Foundation

This is a major philanthropic organization that provides grants for the arts, humanities, and higher education initiatives.

National Science Foundation

This is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education in all the non-medical fields of science and engineering.

The details

Researchers categorized the hostility faced by officials as either extraordinary backlash or undermining backlash. The project was funded by the Commonwealth Fund, the Mellon Foundation, and the National Science Foundation.

Between March 2020 and January 2021, there were 1,499 documented harassment incidents and 222 departures of officials.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, public health leaders across the country experienced significant threats and harassment.

Health Landscape

This study mirrors the documented trend of the 222 departures of public health officials between March 2020 and January 2021 as a primary indicator of sector instability. The findings extend historical concerns regarding the vulnerability of public health leadership during crises.

The departure of experienced public health officials may affect the continuity of local health services and community-based disease prevention programs. Residents may experience changes in how their local departments communicate health guidance or manage emergency preparedness efforts.

The takeaway

The high levels of backlash against health leaders point to a fragile environment for those tasked with managing large-scale medical responses. Retaining experts in these roles remains vital for effective emergency management in future public health crises.