What is Health Impact Assessment (HIA)?

Health Impact Assessment (HIA) is recognized as a methodology that evaluates the potential health effects of policies, programs, or projects before they are implemented. This approach allows for the identification of both positive and negative health impacts, facilitating informed decision-making to promote public health and mitigate adverse effects.

By engaging various stakeholders, HIAs often incorporate a range of data, community input, and interdisciplinary perspectives to understand how different initiatives can impact health outcomes. This proactive assessment plays a crucial role in ensuring that health considerations are integrated into the planning and policy-making process across different sectors, such as urban development, environmental changes, and social policies.

In contrast to other options, the focus of HIA is not on measuring health insurance coverage, evaluating clinical trials, or improving hospital operations, as these areas serve different purposes within the healthcare system. Each of these options pertains to distinct aspects of health and healthcare management, while HIA specifically aims to assess and promote public health through the evaluation of broader policies and projects.