Methodology of Health Impact Assessments in Development Projects: Getting it Right at the Front End

Abstract

Abstract A Health Impact Assessment (HIA) is defined as a combination of procedures, methods and tools by which a policy, programme or project may be judged as to its potential effects on the health of a population and the distribution of these effects in that population. It has the objective to deliver evidence based recommendations to maximise potential positive health benefits and prevent or mitigate any detrimental health impacts that a project may have on any potentially impacted communities. While the concept of Health Impact Assessments is relativity well defined for policy, it is still a relatively new field for assessing the impacts of development projects. Unlike the process of environmental and social impact assessments that are well regulated, but that have a very narrow view of the health impacts, there is no legal requirement for a formal more in depth health impact assessment. However, many companies are adopting the HIA process and as a minimum standard, and it is increasingly required for the external financing of projects. It is thus essential to understand the concept of a HIA. The procedures and methods of a HIA are generally well defined, but the objectives and deliverables are often not that well understood by the project proponents that commission these assessments. Thus; it is essential that the first stages of the assessment procedures are conducted in a meticulous fashion, as the design of the assessment will reflect the final result. This may require initial training in the concept of HIA and what it does and does not deliver. The design of the HIA should be guided by determining if the project warrants a HIA and to what extent it should be conducted. This must be conducted through a screening process managed by a standard tool completed by the assessor in conjunction with the project proponent. The final terms of reference for the assessment must be defined through a scoping phase. This must incorporate the use of a standard tool to ensure that most considerations are addressed, but it also needs to include a variety of stakeholders in a steering group to ensure that different perspectives of the project and its potential health impacts on the community are considered. This is an essential step as it defines the final outcome of the assessment and guides the project proponent into their final expectations of the deliverables.