AUTHOR=Glenn Jeffrey , Keogh Mirabella A. , Aldridge Katelyn N. 
  
TITLE=Threats and harassment of public health officials in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic: insights from the adaptive leadership framework
  
JOURNAL=International Journal of Public Health
  
VOLUME=Volume 71 - 2026
  
YEAR=2026
  
URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/international-journal-of-public-health/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609739
  
DOI=10.3389/ijph.2026.1609739
  
ISSN=1661-8564
  
ABSTRACT=ObjectivesMany public health officials faced threats and harassment while doing their jobs during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The Adaptive Leadership Framework (ALF) serves as a useful lens through which the dangers of exercising leadership in a crisis situation can be analyzed and understood.MethodsThis study employed a systematic qualitative media content analysis to examine U.S. newspaper coverage of public health officials during the COVID-19 pandemic. We identified articles using Newspaper Source Plus and Newswires (EBSCO) databases and then screened and coded them using a deductive approach guided by the ALF. A total of 50 articles were analyzed using directed thematic analysis.ResultsMedia coverage revealed widespread and multifaceted resistance to public health leadership during the pandemic. Opposition originated from both the public (e.g., harassment, threats, and protests) and authority figures (e.g., firing). Despite these challenges, public health officials demonstrated adaptive leadership behaviors, particularly maintaining stability and building strong partnerships.ConclusionThreats and harassment reflected broader institutional and political pressures, underscoring the importance of institutional protection and leadership preparation for future public health crises.