From Data to Action: Responsible Analytics for Tackling Human Trafficking in the Health Care Sector

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Public Health
• Social Sciences

Background:

• Human trafficking (HT) presents complex challenges within the healthcare sector.
• Existing analytical approaches require critical examination for effective intervention.
• Interdisciplinary insights are crucial for understanding and addressing HT in healthcare.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically evaluate analytical methods for addressing human trafficking in healthcare.
• To synthesize limitations, barriers, and opportunities for responsible analytics.
• To propose considerations for the ethical and effective application of data analytics in combating HT.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of academic research on human trafficking and healthcare analytics.
• Synthesis of findings from an interdisciplinary team of researchers.
• Categorization of identified limitations and barriers into extrinsic and intrinsic factors.

Main Results:

• Limitations include extrinsic healthcare-specific challenges and intrinsic systemic issues like data gaps and biases.
• Opportunities exist for leveraging analytics, but responsible application is paramount.
• Responsible analytics require survivor and practitioner input, broader demographic research, and transparent communication.

Conclusions:

• Healthcare professionals must approach the use of analytics for HT intervention responsibly.
• Forensic nurses play a vital role in intervening, preventing, and caring for HT survivors.
• Understanding limitations and opportunities better equips healthcare professionals to advocate for responsible analytics in combating human trafficking.