A Pilot Program’s Healthcare Response to Human Trafficking in Houston, Texas

Author: Chen, Eugenia; Robichaux, Katherine; Gordon, Mollie; Coverdale, John; a Shah, Asim; Patel Davis, Minal & Thanh Nguyen, Phuong

Abstract: Baylor College of Medicine, in collaboration with city of Houston officials and local healthcare and social service agencies, created a hospital-based program to better identify and address the complex and urgent needs of patients with a history of human trafficking exploitation. This article describes the development of the city-wide public health approach to human trafficking, which brings together local hospital systems, nonprofit advocacy agencies, law enforcement, faith-based groups, and legal services to create a medical, legal and social services partnership to address the compex needs of trafficked persons. The Baylor College of Medicine Anti-Human Trafficking Program’s efforts at education, clinical care, advocacy, and research regarding patients with a history of human trafficking are highlighted, and an integrated healthcare framework is provided for other municipalities, health care leaders, and providers to consider in the development of their own anti-human trafficking programs.

Keywords: human trafficking, education, clinical care, research, advocacy