The versatility of health impact assessment: experiences in Andalusia and other European settings

Overview

The driving forces behind current health challenges often lie outside the direct control of the health sector; ensuring the inclusion of health and well-being as a key component of policy development in all sectors (‎the Health in All Policies (‎HiAP)‎ approach)‎ has been emphasized as the best way to approach these challenges. As a tool to this end, health impact assessment (‎HIA)‎ can be used to determine the potential effects of a proposed policy, plan, programme or project related to population health and the distribution of these effects within the population. This publication describes experience gained in HIA implementation in Andalusia over the last five years and includes case studies from Andalusia and other European settings, illustrating a range of approaches taken in various regional, political and policy contexts. Focusing on the development of the tools and procedures involved, it presents general conclusions, including elements of success and conflict, misgivings, windows of opportunity and lessons learned.