Health Impact Assessment (HIA)
HIA is a practical approach used to assess the potential health effects of a policy, programme or project on a population, particularly on vulnerable or disadvantaged groups. Recommendations are produced for decision-makers and stakeholders, with the aim of maximising the proposal's positive health effects and minimising its negative health effects.
HIA provides decision-makers with information about how any policy, programme or project may affect the health of people. HIA seeks to influence decision-makers to improve the proposal. WHO supports the use of HIA because of its ability to influence policies, programmes and/or projects. This provides a foundation for improved health and well-being of people likely to be affected by such proposals.
Why Use HIA
The health and well being of people is determined by a wide range of economic, social and environmental influences. Activities in many sectors beyond the health sector influence these determinants of health. HIA is a participatory approach that helps people from multiple sectors to work together. HIA participants consider the impacts of the proposed action on their individual sector, and other sectors- and the potential impact on health from any change.
HIA can be a valuable tool for helping to develop policy and assisting decision-makers. The usefulness and need of HIA within policy and decision making is clear, HIA:
- is used in projects, programmes and policies
- assists policy development
- brings policies and people together
- involves the public
- provides information for decision makers
- addresses many policy making requirements
- recognises that other factors influence policy aparts from HIA
- is a proactive process that improves positive outcomes and decrease negative outcomes
- can provide what policy makers need
Powerpoint Presentations:
How to do HIA
Environmental Health Impact Assessment-Principles and Practice -
Mr Robert Bos
HIA in countries of the Western Pacific Region - Rozlan Ishak
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Fact Sheets
No fact sheets available at this time.
News and press releases
No news/press releases available at this time.
Relevant publications and documents
Workshop on Assessment of Health Impacts of Environmental Hazards
The Workshop on Assessment of Health Impacts of Environmental Hazards was conducted in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 25 to 28 August 2003 by the World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Regional Office. The objectives of the workshop were to: 1) review the capacity for, and implementation, of health impact assessment of environmental hazards in the Region; 2) examine possible innovative approaches to strengthening national capacity in health impact assessment of environmental changes; 3) identify possible mechanisms to strengthen collaboration between the health and other sectors (e.g. environment, transport and energy sectors) in assessment and management of health impacts of environment changes; and 4) discuss emerging global environmental changes that are expected to have direct or indirect impacts on health and identify areas where national capacity needs to be developed.
A Study of Health Impact and Risk Assessment of Urban Air Pollution in the Klang Valley, Malaysia
[more publications and documents]
Upcoming meetings and events
No meeting/event planned at this time.