Part I: Health issues of those experiencing trafficking: Background and context for dermatologists.

Abstract

Human trafficking is a global human rights violation affecting millions of individuals across diverse demographic characteristics with severe health consequences. Despite the frequent interactions that exploited individuals have with health care systems, many remain unrecognized, positioning health care providers, including dermatologists, as critical first responders. In the first part of this three-paper series, we discuss the current landscape of human trafficking from a health care perspective, emphasizing the role of dermatologists in recognizing and responding to this issue. This paper reviews the current understanding of trafficking, outlines the epidemiology and legal framework surrounding it, and discusses gaps in training for health care providers and policy that may hinder effective identification and intervention. It also explores state and national efforts to incorporate human trafficking education into health care training, emphasizing the need for standardized, trauma-informed approaches within dermatology. By fostering awareness and advocacy within the dermatology community, this paper aims to contribute to the broader efforts to combat human trafficking and improve the care and support provided to this patient population.