The Equity Channel was recently launched and seeks to link with people across the globe who want action on health inequities. Their aim is to stimulate and support changes in policies at international, national and local levels, while bringing together involvement from people from all backgrounds and communities. For more go to:
13 July 2009
HIA Practice Standards Issued by North American Group
A working group established at the first North American Conference on Health Impact Assessment held September 2008 in Oakland, California, has issued a first version of practice guidelines, entitled Practice Standards for Health Impact Assessment (HIA). This was a collective endeavor under the leadership of the San Francisco Department of Public Health.
At the Conference (See the story in the IAIA Newsletter from January 2009), there was significant discussion around the issues of quality, standards and values in the conduct of HIA. Participants strongly felt the need for standards or benchmarks to clearly establish HIA quality. Without practice standards, it was felt the term HIA may become ambiguous and the practice misused or vulnerable to criticism.
The document is short—11 pages in total—and attempts to translate the values underlying HIA into specific "standards for practice" for each of the five typical stages of the HIA process. These standards may be used by practitioners as benchmarks for their own HIA practice or to stimulate discussion about HIA content and quality in this emerging field.
Many of the organizations involved in the Conference have signed on as signatories, including the University of California Health Impact Group, Human Impact Partners, Habitat Health Impact Consulting, Environment Resources Management, and the San Francisco Department of Public Health, as well as a number of individual participants listed in the document.
The authors and signatories do not claim to have achieved all of these standards in our work to date. We recognize that real-world constraints will result in diversity of HIA practice. Overall, we hope these standards will be viewed as relevant, instructive and motivating for advancing HIA quality rather than rigorous criteria for acceptable or adequate HIA.
We also hope this document may provoke discussion on whether international practice standards for HIA are needed. Comments and suggestions for future versions of the Practice Standards are welcome.
Download the document
At the Conference (See the story in the IAIA Newsletter from January 2009), there was significant discussion around the issues of quality, standards and values in the conduct of HIA. Participants strongly felt the need for standards or benchmarks to clearly establish HIA quality. Without practice standards, it was felt the term HIA may become ambiguous and the practice misused or vulnerable to criticism.
The document is short—11 pages in total—and attempts to translate the values underlying HIA into specific "standards for practice" for each of the five typical stages of the HIA process. These standards may be used by practitioners as benchmarks for their own HIA practice or to stimulate discussion about HIA content and quality in this emerging field.
Many of the organizations involved in the Conference have signed on as signatories, including the University of California Health Impact Group, Human Impact Partners, Habitat Health Impact Consulting, Environment Resources Management, and the San Francisco Department of Public Health, as well as a number of individual participants listed in the document.
The authors and signatories do not claim to have achieved all of these standards in our work to date. We recognize that real-world constraints will result in diversity of HIA practice. Overall, we hope these standards will be viewed as relevant, instructive and motivating for advancing HIA quality rather than rigorous criteria for acceptable or adequate HIA.
We also hope this document may provoke discussion on whether international practice standards for HIA are needed. Comments and suggestions for future versions of the Practice Standards are welcome.
Download the document
23 June 2009
News on HIA in New Zealand
The latest New Zealand HIA newsletter has information on:
- an external evaluation of the New Zealand HIA Support Unit;
- a new HIA Project Officer position being advertised in Christchurch;
- a report from the 2nd New Zealand HIA Practitioners' Workshop in Auckland;
- new resources; and
- future training opportunities 2009.
25 May 2009
Health and Social Impact Assessment Short Course
The School of Health and Social Development at Deakin University is offering this course between 30th June - 3rd July 2009.
Its at their Melbourne campus at Burwood, Victoria, Australia.
What's the aim of the course?
This training will enable practitioners to understand how to conduct, commission, review or coordinate future health and social impact assessments within a range of realistic work settings.
Who's it aimed at?
It aims to provide skills for improving the capacity of personel working in the broad areas of health management, planning and policy at all levels of government in both health and non-health sectors and in the voluntary and community sectors.
The principal focus of the training will be on impact assessment methodologies and techniques and their application in policy, program or project contexts.
What's the Course Content?
- Contexts, processes and outcomes of local, national and international health and social impact assessments.
- Trends in the development of impact assessment and consideration of integrated impact assessment approaches.
- Methodological aspects: tools and techniques in impact assessment, detailed exploration of comprehensive assessments and processes within, rapid appraisal approaches, audits or checklist approaches, links to inequalities and specialist Equity Focused Health Impact Assessment (EFHIA).
- Contemporary debates about efficacy and approaches being adopted.
- There will be opportunity to review, evaluate and critique completed impact assessments.
- Consideration and opportunities will also be provided for participants to share each other’s knowledge, skills and experience.
The course facilitators are Mary Mahoney and Mary Ciliak and the cost of the course is A$1,300 (including GST). The course fee covers the course, training materials and resources. It does not cover lunch, accommodation or travel costs.
What's the Course Structure?
The four-day intensive course combines a lecture series with interactive workshops and activities. The course will run from 9 am to 5 pm each day.
A Certificate of Completion will be awarded by the Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences to people who attend the full four days. The course also forms part of the Masters Degree programs offered by the School of Health and Social Development.
For more information please get in touch with jenny-lynn.potter (at) deakin.edu.au and go to their website at http://www.deakin.edu.au/hmnbs/hia/training.php
1 May 2009
New look to the Scottish HIA Network website
The Scottish HIA network website which is embedded within the Health Scotland website has undergone a revamp and has a crisper and cleaner look.You can:
- Join the network,
- check out the minutes of their network meetings,
- access their online training and
- look through their HIA guides and resources.
Okay, I had a strong hand in developing one of the HIA guides but you'll have to open them up to find out which one.
The website URL is:
http://www.healthscotland.com/resources/networks/shian.aspx
4 March 2009
HIA Forums in Ireland
The next HIA Forums - Health Impact Assessment: A tool to support healthier communities - will take place from 10am to 2pm in:
Further information regarding each event will be available on the website at http://www.publichealth.ie/ireland/hiaforum
To register your interest in attending either event, please email Leah Friend at leah.friend@publichealth.ie
- Derry on Tuesday 28th April (The Gasyard, Derry)
- Galway on Thursday 7th May (Venue to be confirmed)
Further information regarding each event will be available on the website at http://www.publichealth.ie/ireland/hiaforum
To register your interest in attending either event, please email Leah Friend at leah.friend@publichealth.ie
31 January 2009
HIA'09 Conference in Rotterdam: On the Move
The 10th Conference on HIA will be held in Rotterdam, the Netherlands from 14-16 October 2009. The conference will provide an international forum to debate and discuss a wide range of perspectives in HIA and explore the role of HIA in other sectors.Abstracts are invited undder three streams.
Health in All Policies
this stream will discuss issues such as: how can HIA be embedded in policy processes, how can HIA effectively advise policy, and what are the conditions to develop Healthy Public Policies.
Tools and Methods
This stream examines the methods and tools of HIA. Topics such as new checklists, quantitative and qualitative tools, as well as methods for integrated impact assessment can be discussed. This stream also provides space for new approaches to Health Impact Assessment such as Health Systems Impact Assessment (HSIA) and Health Equity Impact Assesment, etc.
Special Topics
The orientation of this stream is mainly practical. Different sectoral and intersectoral topics can be discussed, such as climate change, obesity, mobility, inequalities in health, as well as specific target groups such as migrant groups, or youth.
News on HIA in New Zealand
The latest issue of the New Zealand HIA eNews is now available. It includes information about HIas underway, upcoming events and practitioner profiles. Check it out!
2 January 2009
1 January 2009
HIA Secondment at IMPACT
"IMPACT (the International Health Impact Assessment Consortium) are seeking a 12 month secondment from March 2009-March 2010.
IMPACT is a self-financing Health Impact Assessment (HIA) unit based at the University of Liverpool with a national and international reputation as a leader in this field. This post arises as a result of our expanding consultancy and training activities.
You will be required to work on consultancy projects commissioned from IMPACT Plus, our consultancy arm, and also on our successful education and training programmes. In addition there will be the opportunity to contribute to IMPACT’s HIA research programme.
This work may originate in the statutory or non-statutory sectors, and may involve carrying out health impact assessments, providing HIA training and capacity building, and other duties as required.
You will have a higher degree in a relevant health, environmental or social science. You should have management experience, including project management. Experience of impact assessment and an awareness of current developments in HIA is essential. Also essential are high level quantitative research, IT, writing and communication skills. The post
requires an innovative, enthusiastic, self-directed individual who is a good communicator, capable of promoting HIA, motivating others and working effectively in a small team and a multi-agency environment. Your current salary is likely to be in the region of 35000-42000 pounds sterling.
Enquiries to Debbie Abrahams, Director, IMPACT Plus (0044) (0) 151 794 5004"
IMPACT is a self-financing Health Impact Assessment (HIA) unit based at the University of Liverpool with a national and international reputation as a leader in this field. This post arises as a result of our expanding consultancy and training activities.
You will be required to work on consultancy projects commissioned from IMPACT Plus, our consultancy arm, and also on our successful education and training programmes. In addition there will be the opportunity to contribute to IMPACT’s HIA research programme.
This work may originate in the statutory or non-statutory sectors, and may involve carrying out health impact assessments, providing HIA training and capacity building, and other duties as required.
You will have a higher degree in a relevant health, environmental or social science. You should have management experience, including project management. Experience of impact assessment and an awareness of current developments in HIA is essential. Also essential are high level quantitative research, IT, writing and communication skills. The post
requires an innovative, enthusiastic, self-directed individual who is a good communicator, capable of promoting HIA, motivating others and working effectively in a small team and a multi-agency environment. Your current salary is likely to be in the region of 35000-42000 pounds sterling.
Enquiries to Debbie Abrahams, Director, IMPACT Plus (0044) (0) 151 794 5004"
20 December 2008
Stipends and Bursaries to attend IAIA09 in Ghana
The International Association fro Impact Assessment Conference is being held in Accra, Ghana from 16-22 May, 20009. IAIA runs two programs to assist delegates:
Capacity Building Stipend Program
Applications are now being accepted for the IAIA09 Capacity Building Stipend Program. Applications are due 31 December. This is a great opportunity for impact assessment professionals from developing countries/countries in transition to participate in the 2009 conference and to receive ongoing benefits through IAIA membership. The complete program announcement and application form are available online at http://www.iaia.org/modx/index.php?id=442. Questions? Contact green@iaia.org. Please share this information with anyone you know who may qualify.
President’s Bursary
IAIA is pleased to announce one US$1,000 President’s Bursary for IAIA09. An eligible applicant: 1) has not attended an IAIA conference before, 2) is one whose work (academic, government, or industry) is in line with the conference theme, and 3) has submitted an abstract for IAIA09 by 31 January 2009. To apply send an email to info@iaia.org addressing how you meet the criteria above, and attach a 300-word document describing the paper to be presented at IAIA09 and its relevance to the conference theme (Impact Assessment and Human Well-Being). The application deadline is 31 January 2009. For more information about IAIA09 and to submit an abstract, visit http://www.iaia.org/modx/index.php?id=442.
Capacity Building Stipend Program
Applications are now being accepted for the IAIA09 Capacity Building Stipend Program. Applications are due 31 December. This is a great opportunity for impact assessment professionals from developing countries/countries in transition to participate in the 2009 conference and to receive ongoing benefits through IAIA membership. The complete program announcement and application form are available online at http://www.iaia.org/modx/index.php?id=442. Questions? Contact green@iaia.org. Please share this information with anyone you know who may qualify.
President’s Bursary
IAIA is pleased to announce one US$1,000 President’s Bursary for IAIA09. An eligible applicant: 1) has not attended an IAIA conference before, 2) is one whose work (academic, government, or industry) is in line with the conference theme, and 3) has submitted an abstract for IAIA09 by 31 January 2009. To apply send an email to info@iaia.org addressing how you meet the criteria above, and attach a 300-word document describing the paper to be presented at IAIA09 and its relevance to the conference theme (Impact Assessment and Human Well-Being). The application deadline is 31 January 2009. For more information about IAIA09 and to submit an abstract, visit http://www.iaia.org/modx/index.php?id=442.
19 December 2008
Comments Sought on Draft International Finance Corportation HIA Document
The International Finance Corporation has developed draft guidance for undertaking HIAs and is now seeking public comments. The closing date for comments is 15 January 2009.From the IFC site:
IFC is requesting comments on its draft Introduction of Health Impact Assessment [PDF, 2.4mb]. This new publication presents pragmatic approaches to assess and address potential health impacts of projects on local communities.
Draft: Introduction of Health Impact Assessment
1 December 2008
HIA2008 Conference in Thailand Rescheduled
Ongoing travel difficulties associated with the protests at Bangkok airport have forced conference organisers to reschedule the HIA2008 conference until 22-24 April 2009.
The conference in April still promises to be a great event, with more than 220 participants from 18 countries already registered. The rescheduling also provides an opportunity for new delegates to register - have you thought about attending?
Information and announcements about conference arrangements are available from the HIA2008 conference website. See you in Chiang Mai in April!
The conference in April still promises to be a great event, with more than 220 participants from 18 countries already registered. The rescheduling also provides an opportunity for new delegates to register - have you thought about attending?
Information and announcements about conference arrangements are available from the HIA2008 conference website. See you in Chiang Mai in April!
25 November 2008
HIA eNews Issue 21: Building capacity for HIA
The latest copy of the Health Impact Assessment eNews is now available for download:
http://www.hiaconnect.edu.au/files/HIA_eNews_21.pdf [PDF 720 Kb]
In this issue:
The HIA eNews is produced by the Centre for Health Equity Training, Research and Evaluation (CHETRE), part of the Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity at the University of New South Wales, Australia. The NSW HIA Project is funded by NSW Health.
http://www.hiaconnect.edu.au/files/HIA_eNews_21.pdf [PDF 720 Kb]
In this issue:
- What is Capacity Building?
- Independent Evaluation of Phase 3 of the New South Wales HIA Project
- Developing Capacity and Capability for HIA in the North East Region of England
- Capacity Building and HIA in New Zealand
- Capacity Building for HIA in European Union New Member States and Pre-Accession Countries
- Upcoming HIA Training
- What’s New?
The HIA eNews is produced by the Centre for Health Equity Training, Research and Evaluation (CHETRE), part of the Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity at the University of New South Wales, Australia. The NSW HIA Project is funded by NSW Health.
12 November 2008
InfoWatch: New HIA-related reports and articles
WHO (2008)World Health Report 2008: Primary health care - Now more than ever, World Health Organization: Geneva. ISBN 9 7892 4156 3734.
http://www.who.int/entity/whr/2008/whr08_en.pdf
WHO (2008) Closing the Gap in a Generation: Health equity through action on the social determinants of health, Commission on the Social Determinants of Health, World Health Organization: Geneva. ISBN 9 7892 4156 3703.
http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2008/9789241563703_eng.pdf
PHAC & WHO (2008) Health Equity Through Intersectoral Action: An analysis of 18 country case studies, Public Health Agency of Canada and the the World Health Organization: Ottawa. ISBN 9 7806 6248 8279.
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/2008/hetia18-esgai18/pdf/hetia18-esgai18-eng.pdf
Paradies Y, Harris R, Anderson I (2008) The Impact of Racism on Indigenous Health in Australia and Aotearoa: Towards a research agenda: Darwin.
http://www.crcah.org.au/publications/downloads/Racism-Report.pdf
Higgins C, Lavin T, Metcalfe O (2008) Health Impacts of Education: A review, Institute of Public Health in Ireland: Dublin. ISBN 9 7809 5595 9813.
http://www.publichealth.ie/files/file/Health%20Impacts%20of%20Education.pdf
Furnee CA, Groot W, van den Brink HM (2008)The Health Effects of Education: A meta-analysis, European Journal of Public Health, 18(4): 417-421. doi:10.1093/eurpub/ckn028
Fell G, Haroon S (2008) Learning from a Rapid Health Impact Assessment of a Proposed Maternity Service Reconfiguration in the English NHS, BMC Public Health, 8(138) doi:10.1186/1471-2458-8-138
Curtis S (2008) How Can We Address Health Inequality Through Healthy Public Policy in Europe?, European Urban and Regional Studies, 15(4): 293-305. doi:10.1177/0969776408095106
Brennan Ramirez LK, Baker EA, Metzler M (2008) Promoting Health Equity: A resource to help communities address social determinants of health, Social Determinants of Health Work Group, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US Department of Health and Human Services: Atlanta.
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dach/chaps/pdf/SDOHworkbook.pdf
http://www.who.int/entity/whr/2008/whr08_en.pdf
WHO (2008) Closing the Gap in a Generation: Health equity through action on the social determinants of health, Commission on the Social Determinants of Health, World Health Organization: Geneva. ISBN 9 7892 4156 3703.
http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2008/9789241563703_eng.pdf
PHAC & WHO (2008) Health Equity Through Intersectoral Action: An analysis of 18 country case studies, Public Health Agency of Canada and the the World Health Organization: Ottawa. ISBN 9 7806 6248 8279.
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/2008/hetia18-esgai18/pdf/hetia18-esgai18-eng.pdf
Paradies Y, Harris R, Anderson I (2008) The Impact of Racism on Indigenous Health in Australia and Aotearoa: Towards a research agenda: Darwin.
http://www.crcah.org.au/publications/downloads/Racism-Report.pdf
Higgins C, Lavin T, Metcalfe O (2008) Health Impacts of Education: A review, Institute of Public Health in Ireland: Dublin. ISBN 9 7809 5595 9813.
http://www.publichealth.ie/files/file/Health%20Impacts%20of%20Education.pdf
Furnee CA, Groot W, van den Brink HM (2008)The Health Effects of Education: A meta-analysis, European Journal of Public Health, 18(4): 417-421. doi:10.1093/eurpub/ckn028
Fell G, Haroon S (2008) Learning from a Rapid Health Impact Assessment of a Proposed Maternity Service Reconfiguration in the English NHS, BMC Public Health, 8(138) doi:10.1186/1471-2458-8-138
Curtis S (2008) How Can We Address Health Inequality Through Healthy Public Policy in Europe?, European Urban and Regional Studies, 15(4): 293-305. doi:10.1177/0969776408095106
Brennan Ramirez LK, Baker EA, Metzler M (2008) Promoting Health Equity: A resource to help communities address social determinants of health, Social Determinants of Health Work Group, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US Department of Health and Human Services: Atlanta.
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dach/chaps/pdf/SDOHworkbook.pdf
12 October 2008
Photos from the 9th International HIA Conference in Liverpool
For those who didn't manage to get to the Liverpool Conference some photos to give you a taste of what it was like. And for those who were there a chance to see if you've been captured on film!
www.flickr.com
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