Short guides
A number of useful short guides exist to take the beginner through the process of understanding HIA. Some guides are more detailed than others.
A selection are:
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INTERNATIONAL - HIA best practice principles [pdf 78 kb]
Guidance on how to integrate health into impact assessments, mainly in the context of development planning. This concise document (4 pages) was published in 2006 by the International Association for Impact Assessment, in collaboration with WHO.
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AUSTRALIA - Health impact assessment Guidelines [pdf 389 kb]
By the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care. These Guidelines aim to promote and enhance the incorporation of Health Impact Assessment (HIA) into environmental and planning impact assessment generally, thereby improving the consideration of health issues. The guide aims to assist other sectors to better understand the rationale for HIA and the processes involved.
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IRELAND - Health impact assessment: an introductory paper
By the Institute of Public Health in Ireland. This paper provides a review of health impact assessment literature and practice, and outlines the Institute's position towards the development of HIA in Ireland.
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NEW ZEALAND - A guide to health impact assessment (2nd edition)
This is a practical guide on exactly what HIA is, why it should be carried out and who should carry it out. The Public Health Advisory Committee of New Zealand designed it for policy-makers in central and local governments, and encourages feedback so that the guide can be enhanced over time.
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SWEDEN - Focusing on health
pdf, 103kb
How is the health of different groups affected by a proposed policy decision? This question may be answered by using the "Health Matrix", an easy-to-use checklist.
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UNITED KINGDOM - Health impact assessment: a guide for local authorities
By Health Scotland. This practical guide covers what HIA is, why and how it should be used, and the different stages involved. There is particular emphasis on how HIA fits into the local authority planning framework.
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UNITED KINGDOM - The Merseyside guidelines for health impact assessment [pdf 640 kb]
These guidelines address commissioning issues and procedures, and outline methods for undertaking HIA. They will be of use to those working in central or local governments, the health sector, the voluntary sector and other bodies whose work influences (or is influenced by) public policy.
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UNITED KINGDOM - Introducing HIA: informing the decision making process [146 kb]
By the Health Development Agency. This is a basic introduction, discussing the concepts of HIA, the key stages involved and providing practical advice. The guide is useful for people or institutions that would consider undertaking, commissioning or promoting HIA.
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UNITED KINGDOM - A short guide to HIA: informing healthy decisions [161 kb]
By the NHS Executive London. This guide introduces the key features involved in HIA and is complemented by a fuller resource that provides an in-depth review and offers practical tools for adapting the approach to different situations.