Health Impact Assessment

The health and wellbeing of a population is influenced by a complex and interrelated range of environmental, societal and economic issues; and is of cross-Departmental and cross-sectoral interest and responsibility.

The overarching public health strategy, Investing for Health, highlights the importance of all Government and Public Sector policies and Strategies taking account of their impact on health and well-being. It is also important that policy makers put in place actions to mitigate detrimental impacts on health and that the potential benefits identified during the process can be promoted.

Therefore, Health Impact Assessment (HIA) of all Departments policies and programmes is seen as a critical means of addressing the social determinants of health and reducing health inequalities.

Health Impact Assessments help acknowledge the wide ranging health related issues which occur from the application of other policies and initiatives and helps to identify relevant stakeholders. They also provide an integrated perspective to policy development and encourage joined-up thinking and working.

In 2002, the Ministerial Group on Public Health (MGPH) commissioned the Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPHI) to develop a methodology and draft guidance document to assist policy makers to carry out HIAs. The result was the publication of the draft Health Impact Assessment Guidance document in August 2003. This has since been revised and updated and the latest HIA Guidance can be found at: http://www.publichealth.ie/publications/healthimpactsassessmentguidance2009.

In addition, the IPHI also facilitates training sessions to provide an awareness of HIA and a more detailed training course. Details are provided below:

This ½ day training session aim:

To send an email to register your interest in attending a seminar please click here

The 10th Comprehensive HIA training course is open for applications and will take place on 12-14 March 2012 in the Clarion Hotel Dublin, IFSC.

The three day course gives participants knowledge and skills so they can plan for and conduct HIA across a range of settings. It will be of use to those working in local government, healthcare, education, public health, health promotion, planning, socio-economic development, neighbourhood renewal, environmental health and the community and voluntary sector.

Applications will close on Friday 20 January. An application form and further information is available from http://www.publichealth.ie/ireland/hiatraining/comprehensivehiatrainingcourse

The course costs £250/ €300 however a small number of bursary places are available. Should you require further information please contact Leah Friend at Leah.Friend@publichealth.ie