Using health impact assessment (HIA) to understand the wider health and wellbeing implications of policy decisions: The COVID-19 ‘staying at home and social distancing policy’ in Wales

Summary:

This paper focusses on a HIA of the ‘Staying at Home and Social Distancing Policy’ or ‘lockdown’ in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Wales conducted by the Welsh national public health institute. It describes the process and findings, captures the learning and discusses how the process has been used to better understand the wider health and well-being impacts of policy decisions beyond direct health harm. It also examines the role of public health institutes in promoting and using HIA.

Links:

• Opens a new window Using health impact assessment (HIA) to understand the wider health and wellbeing implications of policy decisions: The COVID-19 ‘staying at home and social distancing policy’ in Wales