11 Jan 2006

Policies can have unforeseen impacts on health.  Health Impact Assessment (HIA) is a tool developed to maximise the potential positive outcomes and minimise possible negative outcomes of policies and projects.  Being trained in HIA can enable those making policy decisions to think about health at the very start of the process. 

Twenty-two people from health, community and local authority backgrounds in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have enrolled in a unique HIA course developed and run by the Institute of Public Health, the all-island body established to tackle inequalities in health and improve the health of the population. 

The Institute’s Associate Director, Owen Metcalfe, commented:

“HIA is a really useful tool for people whose decisions and actions influence our health where we live, work or play.  It helps them to identify how they can ensure that a policy or programme is beneficial to our health or to minimize negative effects.

We now understand that our health is influenced by many factors such as income, education and environment.  By carrying out Health Impact Assessment’s in advance of major projects or programmes, we can contribute to improving health within the community. 

Most importantly, HIA can assist in reducing the inequalities gap that is prevalent across the whole of Ireland. We are delighted that many sectors are represented on this programme as we need cross-sectional co-operation in order to tackle health inequalities.”

Government departments North and South responsible for health have provided resources for staff and the production of guidance manuals for HIA development.

Organisations interested in the next training programme are encouraged to contact the Institute of Public Health at 028 90648494 or check the dedicated HIA website at www.publichealth.ie/hia for further information.

ENDS

For further information contact:

Arlene McKay 
Tel:      +44 (0) 28 90 648494
Mob:    +44 (0) 7734 903944
Email:  arlene.mckay@publichealth.ie

Notes to Editors

The Institute of Public Health has been set up to identify and develop practical advantages from building co-operation for public health between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. We work in four areas: policy advice, information, research and capacity building and our objective is to tackle inequalities in health and improve the health of the public.