Antisemitism and Perceived Safety, Mental Health, and Healthcare Engagement Among Jewish Individuals Before and After October 7, 2023: A Rapid Systematic Review
This rapid systematic review synthesizes evidence demonstrating that antisemitism is consistently associated with increased anxiety, psychological distress, and reduced perceived safety among Jewish individuals, leading to healthcare avoidance, with these adverse effects markedly escalating following the October 7, 2023 attacks.
Original paper licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). This is an AI-generated explanation of the paper below. It is not written or endorsed by the authors. For technical accuracy, refer to the original paper. Read full disclaimer
Fear is a powerful force in human health. It is not merely a feeling in the mind; it shapes how people move through the world, how they interact with neighbors, and crucially, how they seek help when they are sick. When a group of people feels unsafe because of who they are, that fear can become a barrier to care, keeping them away from doctors and hospitals even when they need them most. This dynamic sits at the intersection of public safety and medicine, a field where researchers study how social hostility translates into physical and mental suffering. For Jewish individuals, a specific form of hostility known as antisemitism has long been a source of stress, but recent global events have sharpened the focus on how this prejudice affects daily life and health. The question is no longer just about the existence of hate, but about its tangible impact on the safety and well-being of a community, and whether that fear prevents people from getting the medical attention they deserve.
In a rapid review of existing research, a team of scientists set out to map this connection. They gathered evidence from Australia, Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom, looking at studies published between 2015 and early 2026. Their goal was to understand the relationship between antisemitism, the feeling of being safe, mental health, and the willingness to engage with healthcare systems. They focused specifically on the period before and after October 7, 2023, a date that marked a significant escalation in global tensions and a surge in antisemitic incidents. By synthesizing data from surveys, interviews, and community reports, the researchers aimed to see if the rising tide of hostility was changing how Jewish people felt about their safety and whether it was causing them to withdraw from medical care.
The researchers found a clear and consistent pattern: antisemitism is strongly linked to a decline in mental health and a sense of insecurity. Across the studies they reviewed, Jewish individuals who reported experiencing or fearing antisemitism also reported higher levels of anxiety, psychological distress, and a deep fear of being targeted. This was not just a matter of feeling sad; it was a pervasive sense of vulnerability. In the United States, for instance, ninety percent of Jewish people reported an increase in antisemitism following the events of October 7, and seventy-seven percent said they felt less safe as a result. In Australia, the perception of antisemitism jumped from forty-four percent to ninety-two percent in a similar timeframe. The data suggests that this fear is often anticipatory; even without a direct attack, the knowledge that hostility exists in the wider world is enough to make people feel unsafe in their own neighborhoods and communities.
This sense of unsafety has a direct line to mental health. The review highlighted that the stress of navigating a world where one might be targeted leads to measurable increases in anxiety and depression. In one analysis of three different scenarios, the link between antisemitism and anxiety was moderate but significant, indicating that as the threat of prejudice rises, so does the burden of worry. For some, this manifests as hypervigilance, a state of constant alertness where the mind is always scanning for danger. For descendants of Holocaust survivors, this fear can be even more complex, as contemporary hostility can trigger deep-seated, intergenerational trauma. The research showed that for these individuals, the fear of antisemitism is not just about the present moment but is woven into a legacy of historical pain, making the psychological impact particularly heavy.
Perhaps the most critical finding of the review concerns healthcare. While there were fewer studies specifically focused on hospitals and clinics, the evidence that did exist pointed to a troubling trend: fear of antisemitism can lead people to avoid medical care. When patients do not feel safe, they are less likely to trust the system, less likely to disclose their identity, and more likely to delay seeking help. The review noted that in the wake of October 7, many Jewish older adults in Canada were so frightened that they stopped leaving their homes for days at a time, only venturing out to attend gatherings that were protected by armed security. This withdrawal from public life naturally extends to healthcare settings. If a person feels that a doctor's office or a hospital corridor is a place where they might be judged or threatened, they may choose to stay home, even when they are ill.
The researchers also looked at how healthcare providers interact with Jewish patients, particularly those who are Holocaust survivors or their descendants. They found that many caregivers lack the specific knowledge needed to provide trauma-informed care. Without an understanding of the historical context and the specific triggers that might cause distress, routine medical procedures can inadvertently re-traumatize patients. This gap in understanding creates a barrier to trust. When a patient feels misunderstood or unsafe, communication breaks down, and the quality of care suffers. The review suggests that for healthcare to be truly effective for Jewish individuals, providers must recognize that safety is not just a physical condition but a psychological one that must be actively cultivated.
The study concludes that antisemitism acts as a multidimensional threat to health, operating through the mechanism of reduced perceived safety. It is not merely a social issue but a public health concern that undermines the very foundation of patient care. The sharp increase in fear and anxiety observed after October 7 serves as a stark reminder that geopolitical events can rapidly alter the health landscape for vulnerable communities. The authors argue that to protect the health of Jewish individuals, healthcare systems must take proactive steps. This includes training staff to recognize and respond to the specific needs of this population, creating environments where patients feel secure enough to be open, and measuring how safety and trust are experienced by those seeking care. By addressing the fear that keeps people away, the healthcare system can begin to restore the trust necessary for healing.
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