Advice note on health impact assessments

31/05/2024

An advice note on health impact assessments and health in environmental assessments is set to be published by IEMA soon. It aims to boost competence in this area, explaining: “While most IEMA competences have long been supported by well-established professional bodies and training programmes, this has historically not been the case for health assessments.” The document outlines how experts should have knowledge of the concepts, theories and application of wider determinants of health, vulnerable groups, inequalities and equity pertaining to the mitigation hierarchy. They should also have a knowledge and appreciation of public health challenges in specific jurisdictions, their epidemiology, and effects that can be proportionately and equitably enhanced to promote public health. In time, this competency framework will be updated to reflect developments in the field’s training capacity. See bit.ly/HIA_advice for more information