Promoting Global Well-Being: Celebrating World Health Day
How HIA helps create communities where people can thrive
April 7th marks World Health Day, a global initiative aimed at raising awareness about critical health issues and advocating for better health outcomes worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” World Health Day highlights the importance of ensuring health for all and addressing health disparities. The International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) supports these goals through health impact assessments (HIAs).
What is Health Impact Assessment: HIA is a process which systematically judges the potential, and sometimes unintended, effects of a project, program, plan, policy, or strategy on the health of a population and the distribution of those effects within the population. HIA generates evidence for appropriate actions to avoid or mitigate health risks and promote health opportunities. It guides the establishment of a framework for monitoring and evaluating changes in health as part of performance management and sustainable development. The Importance of Health Impact Assessments: HIAs are thus crucial tools for identifying and mitigating the health impacts of various proposals. HIA explains what the implications of a decision would be for the population’s health, allowing the opportunity to modify the proposal before it is implemented in order to achieve better health outcomes. Using HIA and the WHO definition of health promotes a holistic view of health that includes physical, mental, and social well-being outcomes across the broad range of environmental, social and economic influences a new proposal would have. Such understanding is essential for delivering sustainable development. How IAIA Supports Health and Well-Being: IAIA promotes the integration of health considerations into impact assessments to enhance public health outcomes. By providing guidelines and best practices for conducting HIAs, IAIA helps stakeholders make informed decisions that prioritize health and well-being. This commitment to health aligns with IAIA’s mission to promote sustainable development and improve the quality of life for all communities.
“Health Section” at IAIA: IAIA Sections provide opportunities for IAIA members with mutual interests to share experiences and discuss ideas in an informal setting. Sections provide a forum for active topical debate and opportunities to develop and promote good practice. Sections network, communicate, and share resources in IAIA’s online community, the “IAIA Hub.”
In particular, the “Health Section” addresses HIA throughout the world and the integration of human health concerns into impact assessment. Chairs are Ryngan Pyper and Valentina Cavanna. IAIA members can join the Health Section’s conversations in the IAIA Hub. And if you are not a member, you can first join IAIA and then get engaged in the Section’s discussions.
The IAIA Health Section also has an excellent series of sessions at the upcoming annual IAIA Conerence, which this year is in Bologna, Italy, 1-4 May 2025. Registration closes 10 April – we hope to see you there. Case Studies and Success Stories: • Healthy Urban Planning: Impact assessments have guided urban planning projects to include healthy urban planning principles in relation to factors such as green spaces, housing quality and affordability, active travel prioritization, inclusive design, and climate change resilience. • Industrial Development: HIAs have been used to minimize health risks associated with industrial developments, ensuring safer environments for nearby communities. This includes cumulative industrial exposures from multiple projects across air, water, and soil quality, as well as noise and lighting exposures. Such projects also look to improve local socio-economic conditions through good quality safe and stable employment targeted at vulnerable groups. Benefits of Understanding Health Impact Assessments: • Improved Public Health: HIAs help identify and address potential health risks, leading to better health outcomes for communities. • Informed Decision-Making: Incorporating health considerations into impact assessments ensures that development projects contribute positively to public health. • Equity and Inclusion: HIAs help address health disparities by considering the needs of vulnerable populations and promoting equitable access to resources. • Sustainable Development: Ensuring that health is a priority in development projects supports the broader goals of sustainability and well-being. FAQs: Q1: What is World Health Day? A1: World Health Day is celebrated on 7 April to raise awareness about global health issues and advocate for better health outcomes worldwide. Q2: Why are Health Impact Assessments important? A2: HIAs evaluate the potential health effects of projects, plans and policies, helping to identify and mitigate health risks and promote well-being. Q3: How does IAIA support health and well-being? A3: IAIA supports health and well-being by promoting the integration of health considerations into impact assessments and providing guidelines for conducting HIAs. Q4: What are the benefits of HIAs? A4: HIAs improve public health outcomes, inform decision-making, address health disparities, and support sustainable development. Suggested Actions: • Educate Yourself: Learn more about health impact assessments and their importance in promoting public health. IAIA offers periodic training courses dedicated to impact assessments, including HIAs. There are also International Best Practice Principles accessible via the IAIA website. • Advocate for Health: Support policies and initiatives that prioritize health and well-being in development projects. • Participate in Health Initiatives: Get involved in local and global health initiatives and projects. • Join IAIA:Become a member of IAIA to stay informed about impact assessments and contribute to promoting health and well-being. You can expand your network and improve your expertise joining IAIA’s “Health Section” and IAIA Hub.
Conclusion: World Health Day is an opportunity to highlight the importance of health and well-being for all. By understanding the role of HIAs and supporting initiatives that prioritize health, we can contribute to a healthier, more equitable world. Join IAIA in celebrating World Health Day and advocating for the integration of health considerations into all aspects of development.
