Characteristics of health impact assessments reported in Australia and New Zealand 2005–2009

Abstract

Objective: To describe the use and reporting of Health Impact Assessment (HIA) in Australia and New Zealand between 2005 and 2009.Methods: We identified 115 HIAs undertaken in Australia and New Zealand between 2005 and 2009. We reviewed 55 HIAs meeting the study's inclusion criteria to identify characteristics and appraise the quality of the reports.Results: Of the 55 HIAs, 31 were undertaken in Australia and 24 in New Zealand. The HIAs were undertaken on plans (31), projects (12), programs (6) and policies (6). Compared to Australia, a higher proportion of New Zealand HIAs were on policies and plans and were rapid assessments done voluntarily to support decision-making. In both countries, most HIAs were on land use planning proposals. Overall, 65% of HIA reports were judged to be adequate.Conclusion: This study is the first attempt to empirically investigate the nature of the broad range of HIAs done in Australia and New Zealand and has highlighted the emergence of HIA as a growing area of public health practice. It identifies areas where current practice could be improved and provides a baseline against which future HIA developments can be assessed.Implications:There is evidence that HIA is becoming a part of public health practice in Australia and New Zealand across a wide range of policies, plans and projects. The assessment of quality of reports allows the development of practical suggestions on ways current practice may be improved. The growth of HIA will depend on ongoing organisation and workforce development in both countries.

Effectiveness of Health Impact Assessments: A Synthesis of Data From Five Impact Evaluation Reports

“…Results of several process evaluations of HIAs have been published, either alone (7–10) or as a combined process and impact evaluation (34,35). Guidelines are available for process evaluations (17,50).…”

“…Process evaluations examine the process followed in conducting an HIA and compares it with the practitioner’s intended plan or with established guidelines for HIA practice (5,6); several process evaluations have been published (7–10). Impact evaluations examine the impacts of an HIA on selected decisions and other events; such information is valuable to those who decide whether or not to conduct HIAs.…”

Health in All Policies Approaches: Pearls from the Western Pacific Region

“…This occurs across the region but has been particularly prominent in Australia (Harris & Spickett ) and New Zealand (Haigh et al. ). Further discussion is also needed on the intersection between primary health care and ISA.…”

An Evaluation of Health Impact Assessments in the United States, 2011–2014

“…A process and impact evaluation of 17 case studies found that a wide variety of processes were being used by HIA practitioners in Europe (11). A 4-cell matrix for assessing HIA effectiveness developed in that evaluation was used in subsequent HIA evaluations (6,12). A process evaluation of 55 HIAs in Australia and New Zealand found that 65% of the reports that used a standard report review package were adequate (12).…”

“…A 4-cell matrix for assessing HIA effectiveness developed in that evaluation was used in subsequent HIA evaluations (6,12). A process evaluation of 55 HIAs in Australia and New Zealand found that 65% of the reports that used a standard report review package were adequate (12). An impact evaluation of 11 of those 55 HIAs found most were effective, usually by directly influencing the decision process of nonhealth-related policymakers or raising stakeholder awareness of health issues (13).…”