Nonprofits have a role to play in Health Impact Assessments

Although relatively new in this country, health impact assessments (HIAs) have been used for years in Europe and elsewhere around the world to anticipate the potential health consequences of proposed policies, programs and projects. While HIAs can be initiated by government agencies, frequently they are undertaken by nonprofit organizations with constituencies likely to be impacted by proposed governmental action. HIAs incorporate concerns about health into decision-making about issues such as transportation, planning, education or housing. To learn more about HIAs and how nonprofit organizations can use this tool, visit www.healthimpactproject.org.