What is HIA?
Health Impact Assessment is a process used to identify how a project, policy or program might influence health.
HIA evaluates projects and policies that have wide-ranging impacts on social, economic and/or physical environments—for example, large natural resource projects, economic policies, or land-use proposals.
The purpose is to produce recommendations that enhance the health benefits of the project/policy and mitigate potential harms.
HIA’s strength derives from its unique combination of three essential attributes:
a) a broad societal perspective on the determinants of health
b) significant community consultation and input
c) the potential to identify and mitigate impacts before they affect local populations
More than just contaminants
Traditionally, health risk assessment has been limited to how hazardous contaminants might enter the human population and cause disease. This focus remains important, as it ensures that industrial processes do not compromise health. However, HIA considers human health in a much broader context, to more appropriately gauge the full effects.
The result is that HIA can help businesses to better understand and address the full range of their impacts on communities and stakeholders.
