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Center for Advancing Research in Transportation Emissions, Energy, and Health (CARTEEH)

A USDOT University Transportation Center

Health Impact Assessments (HIAs)

A health impact assessment (HIA) is a method for evaluating the possible health consequences of a strategy, initiative, or intervention on a targeted population, especially on disadvantaged and marginalized people. The approach may also yield suggestions for maximizing favorable and minimizing adverse health effects for those affected.1 The assessment is usually done in a sequence of processes, each of which uses a mix of techniques and technologies to inform decision makers and stakeholders about an action’s beneficial and harmful impacts.

Considering this strategy will help achieve the goal of the following objectives

  • Less Contamination
  • Less Emissions
  • Less Traffic Noise
  • Connectivity and Inclusion
  • Healthy Destinations
  • Less Traffic Violence
  • Active Transportation
  • Green Space

Transportation lifecycle phases

This strategy is associated with the following transportation lifecycle phases:

  • Construction
  • End of Life
  • Maintenance
  • Material Selection
  • Operations
  • Policy and Planning
  • Project Development

Who's involved

  • Local governments
  • Local health departments
  • Policymakers
  • State governments
  • Vulnerable road users
A health impact assessment (HIA) is a method for evaluating the possible health consequences of a strategy, initiative, or intervention on a targeted population, especially on disadvantaged and marginalized people. The approach may also yield suggestions for maximizing favorable and minimizing adverse health effects for those affected.1 The assessment is usually done in a sequence of processes, each of which uses a mix of techniques and technologies to inform decision makers and stakeholders about an action’s beneficial and harmful impacts.

How it Helps

Implementing this plan will benefit the targeted population’s health and well-being. The impact of this assessment will ensure that adverse health risks are avoided and that everyone lives and enjoys overall good health.2 HAIs can be used during transportation projects, planning for green space, and zoning for community walkability.1

Implementing

Steps:

The major steps in conducting a HIA typically begins with conducing a screening, where stakeholders and project plans are identified.1,2,3 Then, the geographical boundaries, health risks, and health benefits should be scoped out. The impacts on the affected population should be assessed, and recommendations should be made. Results should then be reported to policymakers, community members, and other stakeholders. The process should conclude with monitoring and evaluation efforts to determine the HIA’s impact on health status of the community.

Applicability:

This assessment tool has been praised for its ability to be applicable in many health situations and populations.3 It can apply to a broad array of policies, programs, and projects.

Other Tools:

In conjunction with a HIA, communities and stakeholders can conduct risk assessments and cost-benefit analyses to help strengthen policy and project recommendations that will impact health status.1

Examples

1) Built Environment and Health Initiative (BEHI)
 The Built Environment and Health Initiative (BEHI) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) examines the link between the physical environment and some major health disorders. This effort (formerly known as the Healthy Community Design Initiative) provides states and localities with the tools and information they need to make planning and transportation decisions that save lives and lower healthcare costs in the United States.

BEHI supports health impact assessments (HIAs) that notify local policymakers beyond the public health domains on how modifications to the physical environment can influence public health. These HIAs help communities use health information to make effective, locally appropriate decisions about transportation and land-use projects.

https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/information/built_environment_overview.pdf#:~:text=This%20initiative%20%28also%20known%20as%20the%20Healthy%20Community,Built%20Environment%20and%20Health%20Initiative%20is%20the%20only

2) Health Impact Provider

Health Impact is a top multinational healthcare and professional medical service provider offering various unique health and well-being services to several individuals.
They work hard to improve employee health, well-being, and safety. Health Impact is always looking for new ways to make illness prevention and legal compliance a key concern.

https://www.healthimpact.health/about-health-impact/

3) National Collaborating Center for Environmental Health (NCCEH)

NCCEH is one of the six National Collaborating Centers for Public Health. NCCEH considers the effects of the built and natural environments on health and well-being and evidence-based treatments that can alleviate those effects.
They want to synthesize, interpret, and share information for health and environment practitioners and policymakers, identify knowledge areas for future research and practice and build capacity through networks of practitioners, policymakers, and researchers.

https://ncceh.ca/content/about-us

1. WHO. Health impact assessment (HIA) tools and methods. https://www.who.int/tools/health-impact-assessments
2. Ministry of Health NZ. About Health Impact Assessment. [cited 2022 Jun 16]. Available from: https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/health-impact-assessment/about-health-impact-assessment
3. CDC. (2016). Health Impact Assessment. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyplaces/hia.htm