Understanding Health Care Utilization and Occupational Exposures of Labor-Trafficked People

Author: DeCicco, Philip; Prakash, Jaya; Rapkin, Meredith; Brown, Kate; Stoklosa, Hanni

Abstract: Objectives. To describe health care utilization and occupational exposures during trafficking among foreign-born people labor-trafficked in the U.S. Methods. Retrospective analysis of immigration files for health data among 114 labor-trafficked individuals. Results. Mean age was 30. Files of 38% mentioned accessing medical services at least once, mostly via hospitals (73%-81%). Forty-three percent (43%) had U.S. citizen children—indicating their children and spouses interacted with social and medical systems during exploitation. Almost all (97%) had limited English proficiency, and 75% did not have legal immigration status. Employers/traffickers interfered with access to health care and forced victims to work while injured. Half (50%) had sick family members. Victims reported physical and sexual abuse, toxic and environmental occupational exposures, and sleep disturbances. Conclusions. This is the largest study to elucidate health concerns and care utilization patterns among labor-trafficked people. Concerted resources must be dedicated to understanding health needs and health systems intervention opportunities for labor-trafficked people.

Keywords: human trafficking, labor trafficking, migrant health, occupational health, forced labor