<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001193125-20-068842.txt : 20200310
<SEC-HEADER>0001193125-20-068842.hdr.sgml : 20200310
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20200310163406
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001193125-20-068842
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	497
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
FILED AS OF DATE:		20200310
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20200310
EFFECTIVENESS DATE:		20200310

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BlackRock Health Sciences Trust
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001314966
		IRS NUMBER:				000000000
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		497
		SEC ACT:		1933 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	333-230158
		FILM NUMBER:		20701962

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 BELLEVUE PARKWAY
		CITY:			WILMINGTON
		STATE:			DE
		ZIP:			19809
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(888) 825-2257

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 BELLEVUE PARKWAY
		CITY:			WILMINGTON
		STATE:			DE
		ZIP:			19809
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>497
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>d877535d497.htm
<DESCRIPTION>BLACKROCK HEALTH SCIENCES TRUST
<TEXT>
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<TITLE>BLACKROCK HEALTH SCIENCES TRUST</TITLE>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right">Filed Pursuant to Rule 497(e) </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right">Registration File No.: <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">333-230158</FONT> </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>BLACKROCK HEALTH SCIENCES TRUST </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Supplement dated March&nbsp;10, 2020 to the Prospectus, </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>dated April&nbsp;29, 2019, as supplemented to date </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">This supplement amends certain information in the Prospectus of BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (the &#147;Fund&#148;), dated April&nbsp;29, 2019, as
supplemented to date (the &#147;Prospectus&#148;). Unless otherwise indicated, all other information included in the Prospectus that is not inconsistent with the information set forth in this supplement remains unchanged. Capitalized terms not
otherwise defined in this supplement have the same meanings as in the Prospectus. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Effective immediately, the following changes are made to the
Prospectus: </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>The risk factor entitled &#147;Risk Associated with Recent Market Events&#148; in the subsection entitled &#147;Item 8. Description of the
Fund&#151;Risk Factors&#148; in Part II of the Prospectus is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following: </I></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>Risk Associated with Recent
Market Events</I>. Stresses associated with the 2008 financial crisis in the United States and global economies peaked approximately a decade ago, but periods of unusually high volatility in the financial markets and restrictive credit conditions,
sometimes limited to a particular sector or a geography, continue to recur. Some countries, including the United States, have adopted and/or are considering the adoption of more protectionist trade policies, a move away from the tighter financial
industry regulations that followed the financial crisis, and/or substantially reducing corporate taxes. The exact shape of these policies is still being considered, but the equity and debt markets may react strongly to expectations of change, which
could increase volatility, especially if the market&#146;s expectations are not borne out. A rise in protectionist trade policies, and the possibility of changes to some international trade agreements, could affect the economies of many nations in
ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. In addition, geopolitical and other risks, including environmental and public health, may add to instability in world economies and markets generally. Economies and financial markets
throughout the world are becoming increasingly interconnected. As a result, whether or not the Fund invests in securities of issuers located in or with significant exposure to countries experiencing economic, political and/or financial difficulties,
the value and liquidity of the Fund&#146;s investments may be negatively affected by such events. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">A recent outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a
novel coronavirus was first detected in China in December 2019 and has now been detected internationally. This coronavirus has resulted in closing borders, enhanced health screenings, healthcare service preparation and delivery, quarantines,
cancellations, disruptions to supply chains and customer activity, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of this coronavirus, and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future, could affect the economies of many
nations, individual companies and the market in general in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. In addition, the impact of infectious diseases in developing or emerging market countries may be greater due to less established
health care systems. Health crises caused by the recent coronavirus outbreak may exacerbate other <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">pre-existing</FONT> political, social and economic risks in certain countries. The impact of the outbreak may be short
term or may last for an extended period of time. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><I>The following is added as the ninth paragraph to the subsection entitled &#147;Item 8. Description of
the Fund&#151;Risk Factors&#151;Risk of Investing in China&#148; in Part II of the Prospectus: </I></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">From time to time and in recent months, China has
experienced outbreaks of infectious illnesses and the country may be subject to other public health threats, infectious illnesses, diseases or similar issues in the future. Any spread of an infectious illness, public health threat or similar issue
could reduce consumer demand or economic output, result in market closures, travel restrictions or quarantines, and generally have a significant impact on the Chinese economy, which in turn could adversely affect the Fund&#146;s investments. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Investors should retain this supplement for future reference. </B></P>
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