Health Impact Assessments (HIAs)

Conducted in collaboration with the Health Impact Project—a collaboration of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and The Pew Charitable Trusts dedicated to promoting the use of HIAs nationwide—NNPHI's HIA projects are aimed at increasing the capacity to conduct HIAs nationally through the public health institutes.  NNPHI's projects also support opportunities for policymakers, public health professionals, and practitioners to learn more and showcase the work of HIA.
 
“HIA is a fast-growing field, but a shortage of trained practitioners is holding it back,” said Aaron Wernham, M.D., M.S., director of the Health Impact Project. “Our work with NNPHI will help fill that gap, while also leveraging their network’s geographic diversity, scientific credibility, and policy expertise.”   
 
Increasing National Capacity for HIAs: Utilizing the Nation’s Public Health Institutes
A project of NNPHI and the Health Impact Project, a collaboration of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and The Pew Charitable Trusts
Increasing National Capacity for HIAs: Utilizing the Nation's Public Health Institutes is intended to promote and support the growth of the field of HIA nationwide by increasing the capacity of public health institutes (PHIs) to conduct HIAs in their respective regions.  The project utilizes PHIs' geographic diversity, scientific credibility, policy expertise, multi-sectoral partnerships, and emerging leadership in the field of HIA.
 
Two PHIs—Oregon Public Health Institute (OPHI) and the Georgia Health Policy Center (GHPC)—have recently received funding to serve as regional HIA training centers and will be working with staff at NNPHI and the Health Impact Project to develop and implement the initiative.  The project period runs through May 31, 2013.  The project’s primary components include:
 
 

To learn more about NNPHI's HIA work, contact Katie Dabdoub, Program Coordinator, at .

 

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What is an HIA?

An HIA is a type of study that helps policymakers identify the likely health impacts of a decision in another field—such as building a major roadway, planning for a city’s growth, or developing a school curriculum. HIAs can help decision-makers identify unintended health risks, reduce unnecessary costs, find practical solutions and leverage opportunities to improve the well-being of the community in which the project or policy is proposed. 

For more information about the growing field of HIA, visit the Health Impact Project's map of HIA activity, which is searchable by location, sector, and other criteria.

Press Release: 

Funding in SC, WI will Ensure Health is Considered in Comprehensive Neighborhood Planning and Decisions Related to Transitional Jobs Programs

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