scholarly journals Valuing environmental health for informed policy-making

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 171-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vojtěch Máca ◽  
Jan Melichar ◽  
Milan Ščasný ◽  
Markéta Braun Kohlová
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Health ◽  
Policy Making ◽  
Economic Valuation ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
External Costs ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Geographic Coverage ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Health Impact Assessments ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background: Monetized environmental health impact assessments help to better evaluate the environmental burden of a wide range of economic activities. Apart from the limitations and uncertainties in physical and biological science used in such assessments, assumptions taken from economic valuation may also substantially influence subsequent policy-making considerations. Aim: This study attempts to demonstrate the impact of normative policy assumptions on quantified external costs using a case study of recently discussed variants of future coal mining and use of extracted coal in electricity and heat generation in the Czech Republic. Methods: A bottom-up impact-pathway approach is used for quantification of external costs. Several policy perspectives are elaborated for aggregating impacts that differ in geographic coverage and in how valuation of quantified impacts is adjusted in a particular perspective. Results: We find that the fraction of monetized external impacts taken into policy-making considerations may vary according to choice of decision perspective up to a factor of 10. Conclusion: At present there are virtually no hard rules for defining geographical boundaries or adjusting values for a summation of monetized environmental impacts. We, however, stress that any rigorous external cost assessment should, for instance in a separate calculation, take account of impacts occurring beyond country borders.

scholarly journals Coping with abrupt environmental change: the impact of the coastal El Niño 2017 on artisanal fisheries and mariculture in North Peru

2018 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
pp. 1122-1130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lotta Clara Kluger ◽  
Sophia Kochalski ◽  
Arturo Aguirre-Velarde ◽  
Ivonne Vivar ◽  
Matthias Wolff
Keyword(s):  
El Niño ◽  
El Nino ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Artisanal Fisheries ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Economic Sectors ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Coastal El Niño

Abstract In February and March 2017, a coastal El Niño caused extraordinary heavy rains and a rise in water temperatures along the coast of northern Peru. In this work, we document the impacts of this phenomenon on the artisanal fisheries and the scallop aquaculture sector, both of which represent important socio-economic activities for the province of Sechura. Despite the perceived absence of effective disaster management and rehabilitation policies, resource users opted for a wide range of different adaptation strategies and are currently striving towards recovery. One year after the event, the artisanal fisheries fleet has returned to operating almost on a normal scale, while the aquaculture sector is still drastically impacted, with many people continuing to work in different economic sectors and even in other regions of the country. Recovery of the social-ecological system of Sechura likely depends on the occurrence of scallop seed and the financial capacity of small-scale producers to reinitiate scallop cultures. Long-term consequences of this coastal El Niño are yet to be studied, though the need to develop trans-local and trans-sectoral management strategies for coping with disturbance events of this scale is emphasized.

scholarly journals Health Impact Assessment: An Information Needs Assessment Across Sectors

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 15-26
Author(s):  
Wes Quattrone ◽  
Melissa Callaham ◽  
Stephen Brown ◽  
Tatiana Lin ◽  
Jamie Pina
Keyword(s):  
Information Needs ◽  
Geographic Location ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Target Area ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Local Data ◽  
Area Of Interest ◽  
Health Impact Assessments ◽  
Professional Fields ◽  
The Impact

Background: Over the last decade, the number of health impact assessments (HIAs) conducted has increased. The information contained in these studies provides valuable guidance for stakeholders in many professional fields and industries, also known as sectors. However, a growing body of evidence suggests that practitioners across sectors have unmet information needs and are facing challenges accessing and using information. Methods: The research team conducted a series of focus groups to explore the information needs of practitioners across sectors and to identify challenges they face accessing this information. Participants were stratified by geographic location, sector affiliation, and level of expertise with HIAs. Results: Findings suggest that practitioners from all sectors can benefit from the integration of health-related information, and the information contained in HIAs, into their work. Reported information needs include baseline data, geocoded socio-demographic information, and granular local data. Participants indicated that they obtain information from their professional network, universities sponsoring research, and online resources. Information challenges include lack of data that match the size and the scope of the target area of interest, proprietary or pay-for-access sources, varying terminology for the same concepts across sectors, inadequate resources and HIA expertise for searching, and limited information on the impact of findings of prior completed HIAs. Discussion: Identifying and understanding the information needs of practitioners is essential to maximizing the use of existing and future HIAs. An interactive and comprehensive web-based repository system for HIAs may provide value and assist stakeholders in meeting these needs.

scholarly journals Low wages – Coincidence or a result? Evidence from Poland

2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 549-572 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maciej Ryczkowski ◽  
Monika Maksim
Keyword(s):  
Economic Activity ◽  
Labour Force ◽  
Personal Characteristics ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Pension Schemes ◽  
Average Impact ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Low Wages

The article evaluates the influence of a wide range of socio-demographic, job and company-related characteristics on the likelihood of low earnings by applying logistic regression on a broad range of Labour Force Survey data. We evidenced that the average impact of the company-related characteristics is three times stronger than the impact of personal characteristics. We also found that working full-time considerably decreases this risk of low wages, but company-related and personal characteristics (except for the kind of company’s economic activity) have not provided a rent (benefit) from working full-time. The underlying conclusion is that reforms decreasing the size of the low-wage sector in the former transition countries should be focused on targeted employment programmes enhancing transitions to more profitable economic activities instead of possibly maintaining the unprofitable industries at all costs. Additionally, the reforms should be concentrated on introducing employment regulations to harmonise the rules of employment among all contract types, which would put the part-timers and the underemployed on a more equal footing with fulltime workers especially in terms of pension schemes and access to training.

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.

Trends and Perspectives of PRC's Energy Policy Making Institutions and Policies

2009 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-124
Author(s):  
Chulwon Lee
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Energy Policy ◽  
Policy Making ◽  
Policy Decision ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Policy Debate ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Policy Decision Making ◽  
Future Direction ◽  
The Impact

The future direction of China's approach to energy policy making is, of course, difficult to predict. This is due not only to the opaque and fragmented nature of Chinese energy policy decision-making, but also to the fact that energy policy is a new topic for China's leaders and the individuals they rely on for advice to master that impinges on the interests of actors throughout the Chinese bureaucracy. The wide range of participants in the energy policy debate indicates that more diversified views on it probably reach the top leadership. The impact of the multiplicity of opinions is two-fold. It can result in more informed decision-making, but it can also delay the process as decision makers must assess a larger number of competing and sometimes contradictory views.

scholarly journals Expanding The Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Health Impact Assessment

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-49
Author(s):  
Lisa Yazel-Smith ◽  
Andrew Merkley ◽  
Robin Danek ◽  
Cynthia Stone
Keyword(s):  
Community Organizations ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
University Courses ◽  
Health Impact Assessments ◽  
Local Residents ◽  
Safety Considerations ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Additional Space

Background Health Impact Assessments (HIA) are a tool used to measure the effect of policies and/or projects that may influence the health of populations. As a way to increase HIA practitioners, university courses in HIA can benefit both students and community organizations by presenting real-world opportunities for students to conduct HIA while partnering with community organizations or policy makers.   Methods In order to conduct the rapid HIA to assess the Indiana Cultural Train (ICT) expansion, students in a graduate-level course conducted a five step HIA process of screening, scoping, assessment, recommendations and reporting, and monitoring and evaluating three potential trail expansion routes. Students examined local health data, conducted walkability assessments, and conducted seven key stakeholder interviews to gather data.   Results The results of data analysis show that the Riley Hospital Drive/Gateway Bridge is the best potential route for expansion due to safety considerations and the impact on the adjacent Ransom Place neighborhood. Six of the seven key informants were in favor of the expansion, with the two most cited reasons being additional space for exercise and recreation and the potential economic impact and connection to local businesses in the area.   Conclusions The expansion across the proposed Gateway Bridge would combat parking issues associated with expanding the trail through Ransom Place as well as be the safest way to approach the large intersections. With local residents’ concerns of gentrification and safety in mind, the ICT trail expansion could lead to increased health outcomes by offering additional space for exercise, recreation, and active transportation.

The Impact of Different Validation Datasets on Air Quality Modeling Performance

2018 ◽  
Vol 2672 (25) ◽  
pp. 57-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haneen Khreis ◽  
Kees de Hoogh ◽  
Josias Zietsman ◽  
Mark J. Nieuwenhuijsen
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Spatial Resolution ◽  
Atmospheric Dispersion ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Validation Dataset ◽  
Health Impact Assessments ◽  
Secondary Objective ◽  
Pollution Modeling ◽  
The Impact

Many studies rely on air pollution modeling such as land use regression (LUR) or atmospheric dispersion (AD) modeling in epidemiological and health impact assessments. Generally, these models are only validated using one validation dataset and their estimates at select receptor points are generalized to larger areas. The primary objective of this paper was to explore the effect of different validation datasets on the validation of air quality models. The secondary objective was to explore the effect of the model estimates’ spatial resolution on the models’ validity at different locations. Annual NOx and NO2 were generated using a LUR and an AD model. These estimates were validated against four measurement datasets, once when estimates were made at the exact locations of the validation points and once when estimates were made at the centroid of the 100m×100m grid in which the validation point fell. The validation results varied substantially based on the model and validation dataset used. The LUR models’ R2 ranged between 21% and 58%, based on the validation dataset. The AD models’ R2 ranged between 13% and 56% based on the validation dataset and the use of constant or varying background NOx. The validation results based on model estimates at the exact validation site locations were much better than those based on a 100m×100m grid. This paper demonstrated the value of validating modeled air quality against various datasets and suggested that the spatial resolution of the models’ estimates has a significant influence on the validity at the application point.

A REVIEW OF FINNISH SOCIAL AND HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENTS

2004 ◽  
Vol 06 (01) ◽  
pp. 1-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
TAPANI KAUPPINEN ◽  
KIRSI NELIMARKKA
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Impact Assessment ◽  
Human Impact ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Common Features ◽  
Health Impact Assessments ◽  
Strategic Impact ◽  
Societal Changes ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Impact

This article examines the ways in which Human Impact Assessment has been integrated into plans and programmes in Finland. The EIA Act requires that the impacts on humans should also be taken into account in assessment. The programmes reviewed have been selected from various sectors, including traffic, energy, forestry and land use. Some common features, strengths and development needs were revealed in the impact assessments. On the basis of this material, at least three procedural challenges to strategic impact assessment can be identified: the differentiation between impacts caused by the programme and other societal changes; the sufficient assessment of undesirable impacts; and the definition of concepts used in the programmes.

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