This research was carried out to ascertain the different types and sources of evidence commonly applied to the Health Impact Assessment (HIA) process in the United Kingdom; and to also examine the factors that influence the derivation and usage of the different types of evidence.
A questionnaire survey of 52 HIA practitioners who had conducted a total of 103 HIAs over a 3-year period was carried out, followed by semi-structured interviews of 11 practitioners to gain deeper insights into the questionnaire findings.
Ten different sources of evidence were seen to have been applied to the HIA process. Literature review was discovered to be the most commonly utilized source of evidence, having been used by 37 out of 52 practitioners (71.2%) and in 83.5% of the 103 HIAs. Engagement with local residents was second in terms of usage by practitioners (69.2%) and expert opinion was third, having been used by 67.3% of respondents. Other sources of evidence included completed HIA reports, survey, modelling and Delphi exercises. The findings point to efforts to ensure that predictions are grounded on robust sources of evidence, although several issues need to be addressed in the pursuit of evidence-based HIA (EBHIA).
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The main problem I had with this survey was the way the results are framed, namely against the need for "evidence-based HIA". It implied a straw man argument that most HIAs are somehow not based on evidence. Anyone who knows the field knows this isn't the case and they also know that any assessment needs to be based on several forms of evidence.
ReplyDeleteFurther, the article fails to adequately define what it means by evidence. Useful-ish survey, but too much baggage?
I see where you are coming from Ben. I liked it more for the sources I don't formally use and don't tend to be sen as scientific in the formal sense e.g. Delphi technique. It also confirms our sense of ranking about strength and quality of evidence - science research, then community and then other professionals.
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