Health Impact Assessment: A tool for health-focused public policy
Aaron Wernham, M.D., M.S.Director | The Health Impact Project
901 E Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 2004
p: 202.540.6346
www.healthimpactproject.org
What makes us healthy?“Health:” (as measured by premature mortality)
• 10 % health care• 30 % genetics• 5-20 % environmental exposure (depends on how
you define “environment”)• 15 % social circumstances• 40 % “modifiable” behavior:
•Diet …
• Exercise …
but what if you can’t afford fresh produce and your school lunch program gives your kids low-quality food?
but in some neighborhoods there’s no safe place to walk
Why is HIA important?Health and the Environment
Health promotion directs “policy makers in all sectors and at all levels … to be aware of the health consequences of their actions …” WHO, Ottawa Charter for Health
Promotion, 1986
What is Health Impact Assessment?
A combination of procedures, methods and tools that systematically judges the potential effects of a policy, programme or project on the health of a population and the distribution of those effects within the population. HIA identifies appropriate actions to manage those effects.(IAIA 2006, adapted from world health organization, 1999)
A practical approach for translating public health research into predictions and practical recommendations that decision-makers can use to ensure that their policies contribute to healthier communities.
Why is HIA important?“Health is a responsibility of all sectors”
Health promotion directs “policy makers in all sectors and at all levels … to be aware of the health consequences of their actions” Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion, 1986
“Health in all policies.” APHA supports requiring all new federal policies and programs to take into consideration all Impacts, both positive and negative, on thepublic’s health.
"(The) toxic combination of bad policies, economics, and politics is, in large measure, responsible for the fact that a majority of people in the world do not enjoy the good health that is biologically possible.” WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health
“Health across sectors”What are the practical barriers?
• No common language:• transportation engineers don’t understand health data.• public health professionals don’t understand the
constraints and limitations of the planning process• No routine/formalized requirements• No funding for new public health activities• “Going out on a limb:”
Public health is science-driven, and policy and planning are steeped in other considerations: economics, politics, timelines, etc …
Health Across Sectors:Health Impact Assessment
A combination of procedures, methods and tools that systematically judges the potential effects of a policy, programme or project on the health of a population and the distribution of those effects within the population. HIA identifies appropriate actions to manage those effects.(IAIA 2006, adapted from world health organization, 1999)
“A multidisciplinary process within which a range of evidence about the health effects of a proposal is considered in a structured framework, …based on a broad model of health which proposes that economic, political, social, psychological, and environmental factors determine population health."
The HIA Process
1. Screening –is HIA feasible and likely to add value?
2. Scoping – determine the important health effects, affected populations, available evidence, etc
3. Assessment – analyze baseline conditions and likely health effects
4. Recommendations, Implementation and Advocacy
5. Reporting – disseminate the report to the public, stakeholders, solicit input
6. Monitoring and Evaluation
9
Health Impact AssessmentCurrent Applications:
U.S.: Roughly 60 HIAs to date:• Sporadic, often funded by foundations• Other than some EIA laws, no formal requirements
Canada and Australia: considerable effort, both within EIA and for other policies and projects
EU: common use of HIA• broad applications in policy-making, land-use, etc• variety of governance structures
10
Health Impact AssessmentApplications Worldwide:
World Bank and IFC: part of evaluation standards for large development loans(IFC Guidance Note 4: http://www.ifc.org/ifcext/enviro.nsf/Content/GuidanceNotes)
Equator Principles: ratified by the majority of large lending banks worldwide, the Equator Principles delineate ethical requirements for large development loans: they refer to IFC standards (http://www.equator-principles.com/principles.shtml)
HIA examples: San FranciscoNew housing development near congested roads
• Decision: new zoning for a large housing development. --HIA done by SFDPH, in collaboration with Planning Dept
• Example impact analysis and outcome:
Impact: Air modeling showed air pollution “hot spots” closes to major roadway.
Outcome: new buildings required to include particulate air filtration.
HIA Examples: Alaska’s North SlopeOil and gas leasing in the National Petroleum Reserve
• Decision: whether & where BLM would sell oil leases
• Health Impacts: dietary, air andwater quality, social
• HIA: local government worked with BLM to do HIA as part of EIS
• Outcome: • restricted leasing in key hunting
areas; • air and food contaminant monitoring;• resolved longstanding conflict
between BLM and tribes
HIA Examples: Paid Sick Days
• Decision: Legislation is pending in the U.S., CA, MA, and NH, and has been considered in many other states. Historically viewed mainly as a labor rights issue.
• Health Issues: reduced disease transmission, faster recovery
• Outcomes: Lots of media attention: effectively shifted the dialogue re. costs and benefits to include health
HIA Examples: Atlanta Beltline
• Decision: Planning for an extensive new transit, paths, open-space, and redevelopment project
• HIA identified vulnerable communities, health risks, and many opportunities for health benefits (safety, exercise, air qual.)
• Outcomes to date:• Public health now formal part of
planning: new open space, transit, etc• $1 million EPA grant to speed
development (health benefits cited)
Other examples of HIA
• Alaska: HIA of two large mines, done by two tribal health organizations and integrated into the EISs for those projects
• Oregon: Upstream Public Health ( a non-profit group) health benefits of a range of strategies to reduce Vehicle Miles Travelled, for a new bill to reduce GHG emissions
• California: an HIA of Humboldt County’s Growth Plan, commissioned by the County Health Department and supported by the Planning Department
• Baltimore, MD: HIA by the Planning Department for a proposed new light rail project, the Baltimore Redline
Visit www.healthimpactproject.org/hia or
www.humanimpact.org for links
Why is HIA a promising tool for “health in all policies”?
• A flexible approach that translates health data into practical, balanced information to inform an active decision-making process
• Well-defined series of stages, with considerable variation in:• Analytical methods, complexity of analysis• Time demands
• Improved interagency/cross-sectoral collaboration, and increased awareness of health in other sectors
• Public engagement and participation
Why is HIA a promising tool for “health in all policies”?
Emphasis on engagement: brings public health professionals, community stakeholders, planners, developers, and decision-makers to the table, with a focus on practical, realistic solutions
The Health Impact Project:A collaboration of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and The Pew Charitable Trusts
A national initiative to promote the use of HIAs in decision-making at the local, state, tribal, and federal level.
• Creating a national Center to support the field• Funding a series of demonstration projects that address real-time
decisions on proposed policies, programs, and projects at the local, state, and tribal level: see the CFP at www.healthimpactproject.org
• Building a technical assistance network to support new HIA practitioners
• Completing two federal HIAs• Reviewing existing laws, regulations, and policies that might
support the use of HIA
Questions
Alaska’s North Slope:Villages in relation to active leasing and exploration
21
Nuiqsut, Alaska
Nuiqsut, Alaska: small Inupiat community 7 miles from large oil development.
Over 10 years,
communities raised a
wide range of health
concerns as proposed development expanded
22
Community health concerns
“The benefits of oil development are clear -- I don’t deny that for a moment.The negative impacts are moresubtle. They’re also morewidespread and more costly than most people realize. We knowthe human impacts of development are significant and long-term. So far, we’ve been left to deal with them on our own. They show up in our health statistics, alcohol treatment programs, emergency service needs, police responses – you name it." George Ahmaogak, Former Mayor of North Slope BoroughKeynote Address, Alaska Forum on the Environment 2004.
NEPA:The National Environmental Policy Act
National Environmental Policy Act of 196942 USC § 4321-4375
• Created the Environmental Impact Statement, or EIS process:
Simply stated, and EIS is a comprehensive review of the potential impacts of a proposed decision, undertaken in a publicly transparent and accountable manner.
24
The ProblemNo systematic analysis of public health in EIS process:
1. Survey of 45 EIS:- No discussion of health in 83%- In the remainder, discussion of health limited to
single-substance cancer risk assessmentSteinemann, A. 2000. Rethinking Human Health Impact Assessment. Environmental
Impact Assessment Review 20: 627-645
2. Survey of NEPA professionals:- Found little understanding, discussion, or analysis of
health among EIS professionalsCole et al. 2004. Prospects for Health Impact Assessment in the United States: New
and Improved Environmental Impact Assessment of Something Different? Journal of Health Politics, Policy, and Law 29 (6) 1153-1186
25
NEPA and Human Health:
Purpose
The purposes of this Act are: … to promote efforts which will prevent or eliminate damage to the environment and biosphere and stimulate the health and welfare of man; to enrich the understanding of the ecological systems and natural resources important to the Nation; and to establish a Council on Environmental Quality
NEPA Sec. 2 [42 USC § 4321]
26
CEQ Regulations and Guidance
40 C.F.R. 1508.8 Effects:“Effects” includes ecological, aesthetic, historic, cultural, economic, social, or health, whether direct, indirect, or cumulative.”
40 C.F.R. 1508.27 Significantly:(b) Intensity: includes “ The degree to which the proposed action affects public health or safety.”
“Agencies should recognize the interrelated cultural, social, occupational, historical, or economic factors that may amplify the natural and physical environmental effects of a proposed agency action.”
Health Impact Assessment, and integrated HIA/EIA
27
HIA EIA-Scaling (baseline)
-Assessment
-Recommendations
-Reporting
-Decisionmaking
-“Description of the Affected Environment”-“Consequences of the Alternatives”
-Potential Mitigation Measures
-Draft EIS, Final EIS
-Record of Decision
For more information on HIA, see www.healthimpactproject.org/hia
The First Federal HIA/EIS:Oil and gas leasing in the National Petroleum Reserve
• Local government became a “cooperating agency” – a role defined by NEPA through which local governments can formally participate in an EIS
•The community health agency drafted an HIA through this role
•The lead federal agency (BLM) incorporated the HIA into the EIS
Result of the NPR-A HIA?Mitigation measures in the Northeast NPR-A EIS
General Outcome:This was a very contentious leasing proposal. Community engagement via the cooperating agency relationship and HIA process resulted in:• Improved relationships between the community and
the agency• A compromise leasing plan that was widely accepted
on both sides
Result of the NPR-A HIA?Mitigation measures in the Northeast NPR-A EIS
Health Concern Mitigation Measure
Need to address health in planning future projects
BLM will consult with relevant health agencies in the development of future proposals in Northeast NPR-A
“Social ills”: alcohol, STIs,
Expand cultural orientation for workers
Air pollution Additional baseline, modeling, and monitoring above CAA requirements.
Contamination of local food sources
Baseline levels and ongoing monitoring
Integrated HIA/EIS in Alaska:Building on the NPR-A Precedent
General Observations:• Despite 40 years of precedent for minimal health
analysis, NEPA and many state versions clearly support incorporating HIA
• Engagement by local health agencies lead to a new precedent: integrating HIA into NEPA
Integrated HIA/EIS in Alaska:Building on the NPR-A Precedent
Since the NPR-A HIA/EIS:• 3 HIA/EISs for other oil and gas leasing plans• 1 HIA/EIS for expansion of a large lead/zinc mine• EPA is contracting with the state tribal health agency to
do an HIA for a proposed open-pit coal mine.• EPA in California is calling for HIAs on a large highway
project and port expansion• Several federal agencies are considering developing
guidance for HIA
