Health Impact Assessment (HIA)
What are Health Impact Assessments (HIAs)?
The European Centre for Health Policy (1999) Gothenburg Consensus defines HIA as:
‘a combination of procedures, methods and tools by which a policy, intervention or service may be judged as to its potential effects on the health of a population, and the distribution of those effects within a population’ (European Centre for Health Policy, 1999).
HIA is an evidence-based practical, systematic yet flexible process which can be used to identify any positive health, and well-being impacts or opportunities and any negative or unintended negative impacts.
Transcript – Health Impact Assessment (HIA)
Health Impact Assessments (HIAs)
Every decision we make shapes our future, impacting the health and well-being of populations, our communities and our environment.
That’s why Health Impact Assessments, or HIAs for short, are a critical part of strategic decision making under the Public Health Wales Act 2017 and guided by the well-being of Future Generations Wales Act 2015.
But what are HIAs?
They help public bodies understand the impact of strategic decisions on health and well-being.
They can also be used voluntarily to assess the potential impacts of a proposal, plan or policy on health and well-being through the lens of the wider determinants of health.
As a systematic and evidence-based tool, HIAs consider the positive and unintended negative impacts on the health of individuals and communities.
Through assessing available evidence and the creation of new evidence with participation from stakeholders, impacts are identified and recommendations are made to maximise health benefits and minimise health risks.
Conducting a HIA helps to reduce inequalities and promote equity by ensuring groups who are most vulnerable in society are considered. HIAs can be carried out at a community level directly involving the people who could be impacted.
For example, a HIA on a new urban green space project in Rhyl led to the development of a sustainable community park.
HIA can also be undertaken at a policy level. Staying at home and social distancing policy during the COVID-19 pandemic in Wales. Considered the wider health and well-being impacts on the Welsh population.
In Wales, Public Health Wales and the Wales Health Impact Assessment Support Unit are here to help.
From online guides, e-learning to face to face training, we provide the tools and expertise to help others to undertake quality and impactful HIAs.
We’re empowering stakeholders to ensure health and well-being is a key consideration in all policy sectors, driving positive change across Wales and beyond.
By understanding the wider impacts of our decisions, we can create a healthier, fairer Wales for today and future generations.
HIA regulations in Wales
HIAs are named as a statutory requirement in Wales under the Public Health (Wales) Act 2017. WHIASU provides guidance, training, and practical support to help public bodies in Wales prepare for implementation and embed HIA into policy and decision-making processes.
Find further information about HIA regulations.
Benefits of HIA
HIA is a process that allows you to systematically consider how people’s health and well-being may be affected by decisions in areas across sectors and settings at a variety of levels – national, regional, local, community and across different decision-making levels – from strategic to operational.
HIA has several benefits for health and well-being, for communities and organisations. These include:
- Promoting greater equity in health and well-being and reducing inequalities by focusing on population groups who may be at risk of experiencing them.
- Identifying positive but also unintended consequences and potential mitigation, if required. HIA provides added value by identifying gaps and opportunities.
- Promoting evidence and knowledge-based planning and decision-making.
- Increasing understanding across policy areas of a sector’s contribution to maximising positive health and well-being outcomes and reducing inequalities.
- Strengthening partnership working, cross-sector collaboration, consultation processes and co-production.
- Involving the people who will be affected by or have an interest in the decisions taken.
- Being a useable, proportionate, and flexible tool for all stakeholders across sectors.
- Supporting a consideration of population health and inequalities across other duties and impact assessments and avoid duplication.
The HIA process
HIA follows a flexible step-by-step process. Learn about each stage of the HIA process.
Wales Health Impact Assessment Support Unit (WHIASU)
WHIASU is a central hub for supporting and improving the practice of HIA within Wales and internationally by offering training, tools, resources and expert support to aid organisations and communities to shape policies that enhance health and well-being and reduce health inequalities across the country.
Learn more and get in touch with Wales Heath Impact Assessment Support Unit (WHIASU).
HIA guides for practice
WHIASU has developed practical, step-by-step guides to make carrying out Health Impact Assessments in Wales easier and more accessible. Access the HIA guides for practice.
HIA reports
WHIASU has led and contributed to a number of HIAs in Wales and internationally over the past 20 years. If you are interested in adding your HIA to our online collection, please get in touch at [email protected].
Access all HIA reports produced by WHIASU and external partners.
HIA resources
There are a range of HIA resources available to support you in carrying out high-quality Health Impact Assessments. These resources provide practical guidance, tools, and best-practice examples to help ensure assessments are robust, evidence-based, and proportionate.
HIA Network of Practice
Our HIA Network of Practice is a collaborative network for people passionate about improving health and equity through a Health in All Policies (HiAP) approach to evidence-informed decision-making.
Whether you’re new to HIA or an experienced practitioner, this network is a space to connect, learn, and share. It brings together professionals from all sectors, such as planning, public health, policy, research, and community development—across Wales and beyond.
HIA training
WHIASU provides expert training in HIA to support individuals and organisations in applying HIA effectively. Our training covers the principles, process, and practical application of HIA, helping to build capacity across sectors and support evidence-informed decision-making.
HIA academic papers
WHIASU has led and contributed to academic papers that showcase its work on an international stage. These publications highlight the unit’s expertise, collaborative approach, and impact across disciplines, helping to share learning, influence practice, and raise the profile of its work globally.
Spatial planning
WHIASU supports the integration of HIA into spatial planning to ensure that plans and developments promote health, well-being, and equity. By providing guidance and expertise, WHIASU helps planners and policymakers assess the potential health impacts of proposals and make informed, health-focused decisions.
Reports
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