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"This clear-sighted reference examines the public health dimensions of labor and sex trafficking in the United States, the scope of the crisis, and possibilities for solutions. Its ecological lifespan approach globally traces risk and protective factors associated with this exploitation, laying a roadmap towards its prevention. Diverse experts, including survivors, describe support and care interventions across domains and disciplines, from the law enforcement and judicial sectors to community health systems and NGOs, with a robust model for collaboration. By focusing on the humanity of trafficked persons, a public health paradigm broadens our understanding of and ability to address trafficking while adding critical direction and resources to the criminal justice and human rights structures currently in place. Among the topics covered: Children at Risk: Foster Care and Human Trafficking LGBTQ Youth and Vulnerability to Sex Trafficking Physical Health of Human Trafficking Survivors: Unmet Essentials Research Informing Advocacy: An Anti-Human Trafficking Tool Caring for Survivors Using a Trauma-Informed Care Framework The Media and Human Trafficking: Discussion and Critique of the Dominant Narrative Human Trafficking Is a Public Health Issue is a sobering read; a powerful call to action for public health professionals, including social workers and health care practitioners providing direct services, as well as the larger anti-trafficking community of advocates, prosecutors, taskforce members, law enforcement agents, officers, funders, and administrators. "An extraordinary collection of knowledge by survivors, academics, clinicians, and advocates who are experts on human trafficking. Human Trafficking is a Public Health Issue is a comprehensive offering in educating readers on human trafficking through a multi-pronged public health lens. Margeaux Gray: Survivor, Advocate, Artist, Public Speaker"--Publisher's description.

BACKGROUND: Human trafficking is a critical public health issue particularly pervasive in the Indian states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh (UP), which share a border with Nepal. Many NGOs are participating in prevention, protection, prosecution, and capacity building initiatives. The aim of this study was to identify factors hindering and enhancing the efficacy of anti-trafficking programs in the region. METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews and focus groups with key stakeholders in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Nepal. RESULTS: Thematic analysis revealed that the barriers hindering the anti-trafficking movement include police corruption, insufficient enforcement of national law, discrimination toward trafficking victims, inadequate funding, and lack of government involvement. Recommendations for overcoming these barriers were through empowering survivors and increasing cooperation, coordination, and communications between NGOs and the government. CONCLUSIONS: In mitigating these barriers and increasing survivor autonomy, anti-trafficking interventions have the opportunity to create individualized environments for those with an experience of trafficking to thrive. Ultimately, elevating community accountability, honoring individual autonomy, and recognizing the value of the persons with a lived experience of trafficking are critical as we continue to use a public health lens in the fight against human trafficking and for human rights. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-021-11213-w.

Social determinants of health (SDH) are defined as the non-medical yet health-affecting conditions of a person's life. They include such considerations as working conditions, discrimination, and access to health services. The aim of this study was to explore the SDH impacting those who have survived sex trafficking in Cambodia. This study employed a mixed methods, secondary analysis, focusing on 52 survivors of sex trafficking in the Butterfly Longitudinal Research Project from 2010 through 2019. Participants described myriad social determinants of health, including: gender, age, relationship status (marriage), ethnicity, national identification documentation (statelessness), social class, formal education, vocational training, occupation, and monthly income. The negative impacts of these social determinants of health included: poor access to basic needs of food and clean water, unstable housing, low education rates, worsening physical health, depression, and suicidal ideation, along with long unresolved STI-like symptoms. As these are multidisciplinary issues, the study concludes with recommendations for remedial actions to be taken by multidisciplinary stakeholders, namely government agencies, healthcare professionals, and survivor aftercare service providers.