DFH HIA Tools and Resources
In the Design for Health (DFH) project, three levels of HIA tools are being developed. The HIA tools draw on the research summarized in the Key Questions series.
These subject-specific HIA tools focus on the work of urban planners. They are meant
to be used by those engaged in planning and with target issues where there is research evidence that aspects of the built environment that planners have control over actually influence human health. Urban planners already undertake a wide variety of environmental impact assessments, fiscal impact assessments, visioning processes, sustainability and livability assessments. These tools are meant to be an easy way to supplement these activities and focus attention on human health.
HIA Tools
- HIA Preliminary Checklist
A checklist of health issues to see if further assessment is needed. DFH is adding to earlier examples more specific information about health-relevant thresholds and standards. - Rapid Assessment
Based on the Merseyside model, it is a workshop-based rapid assessment. DFH is creating a toolkit for preparing materials before the event and for reporting.
- HIA Threshold Analysis
This is a more detailed spreadsheet-based assessment. - Comprehensive Plan Review Checklists
These Plan Review Checklists summarize the key points of the Design for Health background and health impact assessment materials. Topics match the plan elements required by the Twin Cities Metropolitan Council. - Participation and Planning for Health
How can the public participate in planning for health? Which Design for Health tools can be used in participation processes or modified for such use? This fact sheet deals with these two issues. - Communicating about Health Impacts (80 KB)
HIA tools produce a large amount of useful information about various health topics, the location of health impacts, and who is affected by a project, plan, or policy. This fact sheet presents practical ideas for presenting information about the HIA process and the findings of HIA studies to a variety of audiences.
DFH HIA Introductory Presentation (7.45 MB)