The role of social determinants in caring for trafficked patients: A public health perspective on human trafficking

Abstract

The convergence of multiple social determinants is thought to increase an individual's vulnerability to exploitation by forcing reliance on precarious opportunities and dependence on potentially harmful individuals and groups. Determining which individual, interpersonal, and systemic factors contribute to an individual's vulnerabilities can be key to preventing the person from experiencing human trafficking. In this article, the authors closely examine the social determinants of health to better understand how they can contribute to a person becoming trafficked. The authors also highlight an integrated public health care approach to addressing human trafficking based on understanding the impact of social determinants on vulnerable populations, establishing therapeutic relationships with patients who have experienced trafficking, and the use of interdisciplinary teams to address patient vulnerabilities. The authors contend that human trafficking is a violation of one's right to health and should be viewed as such when developing programs, rendering services, and treating this patient population.