Question

Explain in a short essay how you would use a Health Impact Assessment to address one social determinant and health issue.

Answer 1

Health impact assessment (HIA) is a combination of procedures, methods and tools by which a policy, program or project may be judged as to it's potential effects on the health of a population, and the distribution of those effects within the population. HIA is a structured but flexible process that helps decision-makers understand the direct and indirect health impacts of their work.

Housing decisions impact the leading causes of illness and death. Health is more than genes and personal choices; the places we live, work, and play have a significant impact on our health. For example, homes with access to side walks and community destinations affect how much we walk. Homes with mold or woodstove heating can increase our risk for chronic diseases such as asthma. The field of public health calls these greater influences the social and environmental determinants of health. Housing decisions influence the leading causes of illness and death through heir effects on the determinants of health. Public health has many supportive tool available, including health data that supports decisions made on housing plans, programs and projects.