Systematically introducing the ‘health factor’ in decision-making is possible: The success case of Andalusia
Abstract Health Impact Assessment (HIA) as a stand-alone report integrated in environmental assessments has been compulsory for the last 5 years in Andalusia. In this time, it has been proven as a successful tool for implementing the Health in All Policies strategy, delivering consistently better outcomes for the examined projects. We will describe the tools and methods used to achieve these results through the presentation of three examples. In so doing, it will be shown how HIA allows us to consider issues often neglected in decision-making processes and how it provides with an added value over other assessments already being carried out. The first example deals with a food industry. HIA focused on the depiction of affected population, singling out vulnerable traits using geographic information systems and open social and demographic data. Combined with a study of air dispersion of pollutants, it enabled us to find inequities in the distribution of impacts, propitiating thus the inclusion of additional measures of emissions abatement. HIA also helps raising awareness in other sectors. The second case shows a big change of attitude experienced in the urban planning department of a big city. After some initial reserves, the municipality based the decision about the relocation of a social centre on the assessment of expected positive impacts on social determinants of health. Bringing together these outcomes and the results of public consultation, a new optimal location was chosen. Finally, HIA also allows for greater transparency and accountability in public policies. The report for the Andalusian Air Quality Strategy not only provided health outcomes (morbidity and mortality) but also turned them into monetary values, as experience has shown that policy-makers find it difficult to understand standard health measures. This approach makes possible to contribute to cost-benefit analysis and keeps in line with EC guidelines on Public Policies Assessment. Panelists: Bart Bautmans Environment and Health Department, Flemish Agency for Care and Health, Flanders, Belgium Contact: [email protected] Ana M Carriazo Health Department, Regional Ministry of Health of Andalusia, Seville, Spain Contact: [email protected] Odile Mekel NRW Centre for Health, North Rhine-Westphalia, Bochum, Germany Contact: [email protected]