Bridging the Gap: The Untapped Role of Health Education Specialists in Addressing Human Trafficking of Foreign- Born Individuals in the United States
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47779/ajhs.2026.784Keywords:
Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES), Social-Ecological Model (SEM), foreign-born individuals, systemic barriers, human traffickingAbstract
Human trafficking disproportionately affects foreign-born individuals in the United States, yet identification and prevention remain fragmented across sectors. This critical review synthesizes literature published between 2014 and 2024 to analyze multilevel barriers through the Social Ecological Model (SEM) and to clarify the underutilized role of Health Education Specialists (HES, including CHES/MCHES) in anti-trafficking efforts. Searches across PubMed, EBSCO, Google Scholar, and targeted gray literature identified recurring barriers: inconsistent and culturally nonresponsive screening, limited provider training, fragmented referral and data systems, and policy environments that deter disclosure among immigrants and refugees. We mapped Health Education Specialist Practice Analysis III (HESPA III) Areas of Responsibility aligned with the National Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Center (NHTTAC) Core competencies to examine conceptual alignment and practical implementation opportunities. Findings reveal substantial alignment – HES competencies in assessment, communication, implementation, leadership/management, evaluation, research, and advocacy correspond directly to NHTTAC’s expectations for trauma- and survivor-informed, culturally responsive practice. Integrating HES across SEM levels can strengthen upstream prevention, improve culturally and linguistically concordant outreach, standardize cross-sector referral pathways, and advance policy and data standards that enhance identification and continuity of care for foreign-born survivors. By naming and mobilizing this prevention-oriented workforce, health systems can shift from reactive case processing to coordinated, community-grounded strategies that better support individuals experiencing or at risk of trafficking.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Assignment of copyright
In order to publish in the American Journal of Health Studies, authors must assign the copyright to American Journal of Health Studies, CPHR Publishing (the Publisher) and distribution license and any tables, illustrations or other material submitted for publication as part of the manuscript (the “Article”).
This assignment of rights means that I have granted to the Copyright Owner the exclusive right to publish and reproduce the Article, or any part of the Article, in print, electronic and all other media (whether now known or later developed), in any form, in all languages, throughout the world, for the full term of copyright, and the right to license others to do the same, effective when the Article is accepted for publication. This includes the right to enforce the rights granted hereunder against third parties.
Regarding the final published portable document format (pdf) appearing online, authors may print it, share it with colleagues, and/or have it available for personal use and non-commercial research. However, due to copyright laws (copyright belonging to the publisher), authors may not use the pdf for profit, either directly or indirectly. Unauthorized use includes: (1) re-sale; (2) publication in other media (compilations, books, manuals, journals, and the like); (3) use for mass distribution by businesses, corporations or companies; (4) promotion of the funding for a study by any organization or group; (5) reproduction and distribution; (6) selling or licensing copies; or (7) posting on third-party websites such as Research Gate, a university repository website, personal website, or organizational website. Thus, the pdf only may be used by authors for personal and professional use, and NOT for mass distribution. Permissions for such use may be authorized under some circumstances by the publisher (American Journal of Health Studies, CPHR Publishing) if requested in writing, and may incur fee(s) to be determined solely by the publisher. One example of educational use is to place on library reserve as a reading for an online class, which upon the end of the class must be removed immediately.
Publisher reserves the right to grant or refuse permission to third parties to republish all or part of the article or translations thereof. To republish, such third parties must obtain written permission from the Publisher. (This is in accordance with the Copyright Statute, United States Code, Title 17. Exception: If all authors were bona fide officers or employees of the U.S. Government at the time the paper was prepared, the work is a “work of the US Government” (prepared by an officer or employee of the US Government as part of official duties), and therefore is not subject to US copyright; such exception should be indicated on signature lines. If this work was prepared under US Government contract or grant, the US Government may reproduce, royalty-free, all or portions of this work and may authorize others to do so, for official US Government purposes only, if the US Government contract or grant so requires.
I have participated in the conception and design of this work and in the writing of the manuscript and take public responsibility for it. Neither this manuscript nor one with substantially similar content under my authorship has been published, has been submitted for publication elsewhere, or will be submitted for publication elsewhere while under consideration by The Heart Surgery Forum, except as described in an attachment. I have reviewed this manuscript (original version) and approve its submission. If I am listed above as corresponding author, I will provide all authors with information regarding this manuscript and will obtain their approval before submitting any revision. I attest to the validity, accuracy, and legitimacy of the content of the manuscript and understand that Publisher assumes no responsibility for the validity, accuracy, and legitimacy of its content. I warrant that this manuscript is original with me and that I have full power to make this Agreement. I warrant that it contains no matter that is libelous or otherwise unlawful or that invades individual privacy or infringes any copyright or other proprietary right. I agree to indemnify and hold Publisher harmless of and from any claim made against Publisher that relates to or arises out of the publication of the manuscript and agree that this indemnification shall include payment of all costs and expenses relating to the defense of any such claim, including all reasonable attorney’s fees.
