The Hidden Tragedy of Invisible Victims

Medical policy makers often prioritizes visible victims—those whose harm is immediate and apparent—at the expense of invisible victims, individuals harmed indirectly by such a system. Using mandatory reporting laws as a case study, this commentary highlights how such policies can discourage diagnosis and treatment, ultimately increasing harm. Because these victims do not self-identify and their suffering is diffuse, the outcomes for these invisible victims are rarely measured. A cultural shift is needed in medicine and public health in order to both acknowledge and to account for these hidden casualties.