THURS-017 - An Untapped Workforce: Health Educators on the Frontlines of Human Trafficking Prevention and Support

Brief Abstract Summary: Discover gaps and opportunities in health educators (HEs) knowledge, awareness, and training on human trafficking, particularly as it impacts foreign-born, minority, and disadvantaged populations in the U.S. Preliminary findings from a North Carolina pilot study revealed gaps in HEs knowledge, training, and referral confidence,– yet strong interest in professional development and collaboration. Guided by the Social Ecological Model and Systems Theory, this study underscores the potential of HEs as prevention-oriented connectors across siloed systems. By the time of the conference, full analysis will be available, and results will inform the design of a forthcoming national study. The roundtable participants will engage in dialogue to refine the pilot survey, identify workforce trainings, curriculum integration, policy opportunities, and advocacy strategies to mobilize HEs as a frontline prevention workforce.

Detailed abstract description: Human trafficking (HT) is a human rights violation and a public health crisis, disproportionately affecting foreign-born, minority, and disadvantaged populations. These groups face vulnerabilities such as language barriers, irregular legal status, economic precarity, and social isolation that increase trafficking risk and complicate identification. Too often, they remain invisible, under-identified, and under-served. Systemic barriers such as inadequate training, fragmented services, limited data, and intersectional vulnerabilities further impede effective identification and access to care. Current prevention efforts rely heavily on law enforcement, social services, and clinical care, but these systems operate in silos, weakening overall response. An entire workforce is largely missing from U.S. anti-trafficking discourse – health educators (HEs). HEs trained in assessment, planning, communication, and advocacy, work across schools, communities, health departments, and universities. Their expertise positions them to bridge silos, connect vulnerable populations to resources, and embed equity-driven strategies into prevention. Globally, health education initiatives have demonstrated HEs adaptability in reducing inequities (e.g. reducing HIV transmission in refugee camps, improving diabetes management, and advancing maternal/menstrual health in underserved populations) showing their potential impact if adequately prepared and integrated into HT prevention work.
This convergent mixed-methods, cross-sectional pilot study surveyed 47 HEs across North Carolina’s Piedmont Triad. Guided by the Social Ecological Model, which captures factors influencing preparedness at multiple levels, and Systems Theory, which emphasizes coordination across subsystems, the study assessed HEs knowledge, awareness, prior training, and referral confidence. Preliminary findings reveal knowledge gaps in recognizing HT indicators (especially for foreign-born populations), limited training exposure, uncertainty about referral pathways, and an interest in continuing education and interprofessional collaboration. By the time of the conference, full results will be available.
This roundtable will use pilot findings as a foundation for collaborative discussion. Attendees will provide feedback to refine the survey for scaling to a national study of HEs knowledge, awareness, and training needs (focus on foreign-born populations); identify strategies for workforce training on HT; explore opportunities to integrate prevention into curricula & professional pathways; and consider advocacy and policy strategies to mobilize HEs as a frontline prevention workforce. Attendees will gain insights into an under-explored area of health education practice. This approach embeds equity-driven public health strategies into fragmented systems, builds evidence for an overlooked workforce, and supports scalable models to strengthen prevention for both U.S. and global vulnerable populations.