Health impact assessment

Economic sectors such as transport, agriculture and housing have profound impacts on health. For instance, transport is a major factor in traffic injuries, air pollution and noise, and healthy transport policies can help reduce these risks, as well as promoting walking and cycling. In agriculture, fertilizers and pesticides may boost crop yields, but wise use is important to protect farm workers and consumers from excessive chemical exposure.

Health Impact Assessment (HIA) is a practical approach used to judge 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. The approach can be applied in diverse economic sectors and uses quantitative, qualitative and participatory techniques.

Health impact assessments begin by identifying the relevant stakeholders. This usually produces a large number of relevant people and organizations. HIA is a framework to implicate stakeholders in a meaningful way, allowing their messages to be heard.