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Spousal Data Confidentiality

Meaning

Spousal Data Confidentiality is the specific ethical and legal principle asserting that a patient’s protected health information, including sensitive hormonal profiles or genetic risk assessments, cannot be disclosed to their spouse or family member without the explicit, documented consent of the patient, even in the context of shared insurance or joint wellness programs. This principle reinforces the individual’s autonomy over their own health data, ensuring that marital or familial relationships do not automatically override the fundamental right to privacy. It is a critical safeguard for individuals managing sensitive health issues within a relationship.