On September 22–23, 2008, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) sponsored a national symposium focused on the health needs of human trafficking victims.

This symposium developed from an exploratory study, funded by ASPE, examining how HHS programs are addressing the needs of victims of human trafficking. This symposium brought together health care workers and members of the anti-human trafficking community to discuss trafficking victims’ health needs, how best to identify victims in health care settings, and ways that the health care system can provide improved and effective health care services to this population.