WHAT Are HIA and Hiap?

Health impact assessment (HIA) is a process used to identify how a project, policy or program might influence health. HIA uses a combination of procedures, methods and tools to systematically judge the potential–and sometimes unintended–effects of a proposed project, plan or policy on the health of a population and the distribution of those effects within the population. The HIA also produces recommendations to enhance the health benefits of the project/policy/program and to mitigate potential harms.

HIA is a practical tool that can:

• provide a structured process to determine a policy or project’s impact on health;
  
• enhance equity in the community;
• bring both immediate and long-term health benefits;
  
• and ensure that policy and project dollars are used efficiently to provide the greatest benefit.

HiAP stands for Health in All Policies. HiAP is a collaborative approach across policy-making entities/governments that ensures that health and equity are taken into consideration in policy-making. HiAP works to influence policies in the areas of transportation, urban planning, environment, house, education, finance, economic development, and agriculture, among others, to promote health and health equity. 

Check out our resources page to learn more about HIA and HiAP.