What is a Health Impact Assessment (HIA)?

A Health Impact Assessment (HIA) is a systematic process designed to evaluate the potential effects of a proposed project or policy on the health of a population and the distribution of those effects within the population. The goal of an HIA is to inform decision-makers about the health implications of their proposals, enabling them to consider health outcomes in their planning and governance processes.

This assessment typically involves collection and analysis of data on health determinants, stakeholder engagement, and the potential health impacts of a project. By identifying both positive and negative health consequences, HIAs seek to maximize health benefits and minimize adverse health effects resulting from various initiatives. This process emphasizes the importance of evidence-based decision-making and considers the broader social, economic, and environmental contexts of health impacts.

Other choices do not accurately capture the essence of an HIA. Evaluating employee performance pertains to personnel management, financial tool analysis relates to budgetary considerations, and outreach strategies focus on community engagement rather than health impact evaluation. Thus, they diverge from the primary aim of assessing health in the context of specific projects or policies.