Health Impact Assessment in Michigan Land Use and Health Resource Team September 20, 2011

What is an HIA? Formal definition: A combination of procedures, methods, and tools by which a policy, program, or project may be judged as to its potential effects on the health of a population, and the distribution of those effects within the population. HIA identifies appropriate actions to manage those effects. International Association for Health Impact Assessment, 2006

HIA Qualifiers There are no legal requirements to perform an HIA HIA can assess health impacts to populations, communities, and individuals and may consider health and ecological risks, however: HIA is not a health risk assessment HIA is not an ecological risk assessment The groundwork for assessing the health effects of policies, programs, or projects was laid by NEPA NEPA can provide guidelines for the HIA process

HIA Predicts Social Determinants of Health How does the proposed policy, project, or plan affect: Democratic process Housing Air quality Noise Safety Social networks Parks and natural space Public Services Transportation Social equity Livelihood Water quality Education Nutrition Private goods and services And lead to health outcomes?

HIA Purpose Primary Secondary Judge health effects of a proposed project, program, or policy Highlight disparities Provide recommendations Shape public decisions and discourse Make health impacts more explicit Secondary Engage and empower community Emphasize everyday experiences Build consensus Build relationships and collaborations

Suggested Steps in HIA Screening - Determines if an HIA should occur Scoping - Determines what to do and how to do it Assessment & Recommendations - Provides: a) a profile of existing health conditions; b) evaluation of potential health impacts; c) strategies to manage identified adverse health impacts Reporting - Development of the HIA report and communication of findings and recommendations Monitoring - Tracks impacts on decision-making processes and the decision, as well as impacts of the decision on health determinants.

HIA can evaluate many types of programs, projects, plans, or policies Land use: Housing Developments, revitalization plans Transportation Plans: New transit stations, roadway expansions, new rail lines Comprehensive or specific area plans: Guides for future development City, state, or national policies: Labor, education, incarceration, immigration Health planning: Menu labeling

Potential HIA projects in Mid-Michigan Meridian Township HIA Checklist Complete Streets Ordinances Grand River Corridor Study Urban Services Boundary Affordable Healthy Food System Community Health Assessment Regional Intergovernmental Cooperation and Shared Services Other? Etc.

HIA Resources http://www.cdc.gov/healthyplaces/hia.htm Human Impact Partners http://www.humanimpact.org Health Impact Project http://www.healthimpactproject.org Centers for Disease Control http://www.cdc.gov/healthyplaces/hia.htm