BlackRock Health Sciences Trust

100 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

June 7, 2016

VIA EDGAR

John Grzeskiewicz

Division of Investment Management

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

100 F Street N.E.

Washington, DC 20549

RE:	BlackRock Health Sciences Trust
	File Nos. 333-210770 & 811-21702

Dear Mr. Grzeskiewicz:

Pursuant to Rule 461 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, BlackRock Health Science Trust (the “Registrant”) hereby requests that the effec­tiveness of the above-referenced Registra­tion Statement on Form N-2 be accelerated so that it may become effective by 4:00 p.m., Washington, D.C. time, on Wednesday, June 8, 2016, or as soon thereafter as reasonably practicable.

In connection with this request, the Registrant acknowledges that:

(a) should the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) or its staff, acting pursuant to delegated authority, declare the above-referenced Registration Statement effective, it does not foreclose the Commission from taking any action with respect to such Registration Statement;

(b) the action of the Commission or its staff, acting pursuant to delegated authority in declaring the above-referenced Registration Statement effective, does not relieve the Registrant from its full responsibility for the adequacy and accuracy of the disclosure contained in such Registration Statement; and

(c) the Registrant may not assert this action as a defense in any proceeding initiated by the Commission or any person under the federal securities laws of the United States.

Very truly yours,
BLACKROCK HEALTH SCIENCES TRUST
By:	/s/ Janey Ahn
	Name:  Janey Ahn
	Title:    Secretary