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Health impact assessment
The consideration of health impact assessment in the Government’s impact sssessment process is mandatory. As part of the White Paper 'Choosing Health' 2004, the Government gave a commitment to building health into all future legislation by including health as a component in regulatory impact assessment (RIA). Cabinet Office has revised RIA to become impact assessment (IA) and HIA is one of the specific impact tests. This means that health and well-being are designed into national policy.
Screening questions for health and well-being
The following health screening questions help you consider both the wider determinants of health such as education, housing, employment, environment, crime and transport as well as the possible impacts on people's life styles and the effect there may be on health and care services.
Health impact assessment questions and guidance
The questions in this section cover whether there are possible disproportionate effects on specific vulnerable groups, the potential for both positive and negative effects that could have adverse effects on people's health and whether there are currently any public or community concerns about potential health impacts. Each question has guidance on the process and content for carrying out this assessment with links to websites for further information and contacts if you have any queries.
Transfer of the Health Impact Assessment Gateway website to APHO
The Department of Health has transferred responsibility for managing and developing the HIA Gateway website to the Association of Public Health Observatories. It is now located on the new APHO website and West Midlands Public Health Observatory is leading this work on behalf of APHO. Current content of the website is being transferred and updated with new material being sought. It will be re-launched later in 2008 and over time will provide a wider range of information and functions to support practitioners of health assessments.
Cost benefit analysis of health impact assessment
Published: 27 November 2006
The report sets out the findings of the cost benefit evaluation of Health Impact Assessment (HIA). York Health Economics Consortium followed 16 HIAs looking at the process, impact, outcomes and costs and benefits of HIA.
Additional links
Related links
HIA Gateway relaunch
To celebrate the relaunch of the gateway, which has recently been taken over by Association of Public Health Observatories (APHO), a conference is being held in Birmingham on 25 June 2008.
HIA 08
9th International Health Impact Assessment Conference: Liverpool, October 2008
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