The impact of health impact assessment on the policy-making process in Ireland: Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland

2013 ◽  
pp. 46-54
Author(s):  
Claire Higgins ◽  
Owen Metcalfe ◽  
Noëlle Cotter
Keyword(s):  
Northern Ireland ◽  
Impact Assessment ◽  
Policy Making ◽  
Health Impact Assessment ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Republic Of Ireland ◽  
Policy Making Process ◽  
The Republic ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Adding value to the use of Health Impact Assessment and social return on investment technologies

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
L Green ◽  
K Ashton ◽  
M Dyakova ◽  
L Parry-Williams
Keyword(s):  
Impact Assessment ◽  
Return On Investment ◽  
Health Impact Assessment ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Social Value ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Social Return On Investment ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Health Impact Assessment (HIA) and Social Return on Investment (SROI) are beneficial public health methodologies that assess potential effects on health including social, economic and environmental factors and have synergies in their approaches. This paper explores how HIA and SROI can complement each other to capture and account for the impact and social value of an assessed intervention or policy. A scoping review of academic and grey literature was undertaken to identify case studies published between January 1996 and April 2019 where HIA and SROI methods have been used to complement each other. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with nine international experts from a range of regulatory/legislative contexts to gain a better understanding of past experiences and expertise of both HIA and SROI. A thematic analysis was undertaken on the data collected. The review identified two published reports which outline when HIA and SROI have both been used to assess the same intervention. Interview results suggest that both methods have strengths as standalone processes i.e. HIAs are well-structured in their approach, assessing health in its broadest context and SROI can add value by monetizing social value as well as capturing social/environmental impact. Similarities of the two methods were identified i.e. a strong emphasis on stakeholder engagement and common shared principles. When questioned how the two methods could complement each other in practice, the results indicate the benefits of using HIA to explore initial impact, and as a platform on which to build SROI to monetarize social value. HIA and SROI methodologies have cross-over. The research suggests potential benefits when used in tandem or combining the methods to assess impact and account for health and social value. Innovative work is now being carried out in Wales to understand the implications of this in practice and to understand how the results of the two methods could be used by decision-makers. Key messages HIA and SROI methods can be used in tandem to capture both the health impact and social value of policies and proposed interventions. HIA and SROI when used together can provide valuable information to inform decision makers around the health impact and social value of proposed policies and interventions.

Agricultural Policy Networks of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland

1995 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 664-682 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil Collins
Keyword(s):  
Northern Ireland ◽  
Agricultural Policy ◽  
Policy Making ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Policy Networks ◽  
Republic Of Ireland ◽  
European Literature ◽  
The Republic

This paper provides an analytical framework within which to understand the contrasting way farmers' interests are aggregated and articulated in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The analysis draws on the dominant European literature on state-farmer relations which emphasizes the role of policy networks and explores whether the concepts of pluralism or corporatism best characterize policy making in the two states.

scholarly journals The Public Health Implications of Brexit: A Health Impact Assessment Approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
L Green
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Impact Assessment ◽  
Health Impact Assessment ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
The Public ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Eu ◽  
Public Bodies

Abstract On March 29th 2019, the United Kingdom (UK) was due to exit the EU in a process known informally as ’Brexit’. This exit and entry into a 2-year transition is a period of unprecedented political and social upheaval - with many unknowns and much uncertainty attached to the outcomes and future impact. In preparation for Brexit, Public Health Wales commissioned the Wales HIA Support Unit to carry out a health impact assessment of Brexit in Wales to support and inform its and other public bodies planning and future work. This paper examines the unique HIA carried out between July and December 2018 on the impact of the UK withdrawal from the EU in Wales. It discusses the robust, participatory process undertaken, the stakeholders involved and the benefits reaped from this. It highlights the evidence gathered and analysed including the collection methods, the complex nature of the work and disseminates the main findings from the HIA including the potential determinants of health and population groups identified. Finally, it describes the challenges faced, how these were overcome, and the huge benefits, impact and influence it has had to date across a wide range of UK and Welsh organisations and public bodies. This work demonstrates continued leadership in the field of impact assessment and spearheads the requirement for public bodies to carry out HIAs as part of the forthcoming statutory requirements of the Public Health (Wales) Act 2017 an can inform practice at a global level. Key messages HIA can inform and influence action in response to important strategic decisions. The Brexit HIA is a unique example which can inform international HIA practice.

Maths Week Ireland: Promoting a Positive Attitude to Mathematics in Ireland

2019 ◽  
pp. 173-176
Author(s):  
Eoin Gill
Keyword(s):  
Northern Ireland ◽  
Positive Attitude ◽  
Republic Of Ireland ◽  
School Activities ◽  
The Core ◽  
New Ideas ◽  
Online Activities ◽  
Core Principle ◽  
The Republic ◽  
The Impact

Maths Week Ireland is an annual festival established in 2006 by people in the STEM community as an all-island event including the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Particular effort is made to highlight maths for life, for careers and as part of our culture. While the core principle is “Maths for All” the main engagement is with schools. In 2018 teachers reported 354,000 primary and second level pupils participating through in-school activities, online activities and events at partner centres. Maths Week creates an opportunity to disseminate new ideas in maths education. It also creates a space whereby teachers can try out new ideas and invent and create new activities with their pupils. This paper describes the organisation and activities of Maths Week and discusses the impact of the initiative with particular reference to evaluation with teachers.

How can corporate HIA help shape regulatory environments for Trans-National Corporations?

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
F Baum ◽  
J Anaf ◽  
M Fisher
Keyword(s):  
Impact Assessment ◽  
Population Health ◽  
Health Impact Assessment ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Transnational Corporations ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
International Agency ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Transnational Corporations (TNCs) exercise considerable sway over population health. They now comprise 157 of the 200 largest economies in the world and shape our food choices and degree of exploitation of our natural environment. This paper will analyse data from two corporate health impact assessments exercise (food and extractive industries) to determine what government and international agency regulatory actions are required to minimize the health harm causes by the actions of TNCs. Methods We used a Corporate Health Impact Assessment (CHIA) framework, data sourced through document and media analyses, and semi-structured interviews to examine the practices of McDonalds in Australia and Rio Tinto in Australia and South Africa. Data were mapped against the CHIA framework's three sections which are: i) the impact of regulatory environments ii) How TNC practices and products impact on health and equity ii) the direct impact of TNCs practices on daily living conditions. Results The CHIA exercise indicated an absence of effective international regulation on the actions of TNCs and that national regulatory regimes can encourage more responsible behavior from TNCs, for example in occupational health and safety. We identified the need for a much higher level of global and national regulation to: i) prevent the many conflicts of interest we found ii) reduce the extent to which TNC products are unhealthy iii) enforce healthy employment practices iv) prevent externalization of the costs of TNCs v) prevent taxation minimization. Conclusions The study highlighted the ways in which TNCs can use their power and size to maintain a de-regulated environment. Concerted global and national action is required to regulate in favour of human health and safety and that of the environment. Our findings support the need for an enforceable international treaty. Key messages Transnational corporations have a massive impact on population health. A health impact assessment can identify the pathways of impact and be used to inform regulatory action to promote health.

scholarly journals Health Impact Assessment of the construction of hydroelectric dams in Brazil

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-36
Author(s):  
Diego Velloso Veronez ◽  
Karina Camasmie Abe ◽  
Simone Georges El Khouri Miraglia
Keyword(s):  
Impact Assessment ◽  
Health Impact Assessment ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Policy Decision ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Hydroelectric Dams ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Social Environmental ◽  
The Impact

Background: Brazil´s dam-building plans in Amazonia imply substantial environmental and social impacts. This study evaluates the relationship between social, environmental, and economic aspects and impacts on the health status of the population of Rondônia, Brazil, due to the implementation of the Jirau and Santo Antônio hydroelectric dams. Methods: A qualitative and retrospective Health Impact Assessment (HIA) is used to focus the study objectives. The information is arranged in a structured diagram that enables an outside reviewer to assess the aspects/impacts relationship derived from the construction of the dams. This comes with outline recommendations for health risk management that can orient national health authorities. We selected a narrative review synthesis as the most appropriate approach for the study. Results: The diagram network was built making it possible to analyse the impact changes caused by this enterprise in the health sector. Additionally, the model will serve in the implementation of a complete HIA approach in an attempt to quantitatively map the impacts and to propose recommendations. Conclusion: This effort is very important for highlighting the priorities in the public policy decision-making process, serving as a basis for the Brazilian Health System. 

scholarly journals Using human epidemiological analyses to support the assessment of the impacts of coal mining on health

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 391-401
Author(s):  
Javier Cortes-Ramirez ◽  
Peter D. Sly ◽  
Jack Ng ◽  
Paul Jagals
Keyword(s):  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Impact Assessment ◽  
Coal Mining ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Health Impact Assessment ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Review Literature ◽  
Assessment Methods ◽  
Measures Of Risk ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The potential impacts of coal mining on health have been addressed by the application of impact assessment methodologies that use the results of qualitative and quantitative analyses to support their conclusions and recommendations. Although human epidemiological analyses can provide the most relevant measures of risk of health outcomes in populations exposed to coal mining by-products, this kind of studies are seldom implemented as part of the impact assessment methods. To review the use of human epidemiological analyses in the methods used to assess the impacts of coal mining, a systematic search in the peer review literature was implemented following the PRISMA protocol. A synthesis analysis identified the methods and the measures used in the selected publications to develop a thematic review and discussion. The major methodological approaches to assess the impacts of coal mining are environmental impact assessment (EIA), health impact assessment (HIA), social impact assessment (SIA) and environmental health impact assessment (EHIA). The measures used to assess the impacts of coal mining on health were classified as the estimates from non-human-based studies such as health risk assessment (HRA) and the measures of risk from human epidemiological analyses. The inclusion of human epidemiological estimates of the populations exposed, especially the general populations in the vicinity of the mining activities, is seldom found in impact assessment applications for coal mining. These methods rather incorporate HRA measures or other sources of evidence such as qualitative analyses and surveys. The implementation of impact assessment methods without estimates of the risk of health outcomes relevant to the potentially exposed populations affects their reliability to address the environmental and health impacts of coal mining. This is particularly important for EIA applications because these are incorporated in regulatory frameworks globally. The effective characterization of the impacts of coal mining on health requires quantitative estimates of the risk, including the risk measures from epidemiological analyses of relevant human health data.

scholarly journals Population Dynamics and Air Pollution: The Impact of Demographics on Health Impact Assessment of Air Pollution

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esben Meulengracht Flachs ◽  
Jan Sørensen ◽  
Jakob Bønløkke ◽  
Henrik Brønnum-Hansen
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Impact Assessment ◽  
Health Impact Assessment ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Assessment Model ◽  
Life Years ◽  
Health Impact Assessments ◽  
Mortality Causes ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Municipal Level

Objective. To explore how three different assumptions on demographics affect the health impact of Danish emitted air pollution in Denmark from 2005 to 2030, with health impact modeled from 2005 to 2050.Methods. Modeled air pollution from Danish sources was used as exposure in a newly developed health impact assessment model, which models four major diseases and mortality causes in addition to all-cause mortality. The modeling was at the municipal level, which divides the approximately 5.5 M residents in Denmark into 99 municipalities. Three sets of demographic assumptions were used: (1) a static year 2005 population, (2) morbidity and mortality fixed at the year 2005 level, or (3) an expected development.Results. The health impact of air pollution was estimated at 672,000, 290,000, and 280,000 lost life years depending on demographic assumptions and the corresponding social costs at 430.4 M€, 317.5 M€, and 261.6 M€ through the modeled years 2005–2050.Conclusion. The modeled health impact of air pollution differed widely with the demographic assumptions, and thus demographics and assumptions on demographics played a key role in making health impact assessments on air pollution.

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