Health Impact Assessment (HIA)
Health impact assessment (HIA) has been defined by the National Research Council as the following:
"A structured process that uses scientific data, professional expertise, and stakeholder input to identify and evaluate public-health consequences of proposals and suggest actions that could be taken to minimize adverse health impacts and optimize beneficial ones."
HIA can be an effective tool for promoting health and well-being in decision-making processes. Additionally, HIAs are one method of promoting health in all policies.
Minnesota HIA History
MDH is aware of 12 HIAs that have been completed or are in process in Minnesota. All of the HIAs have focused on built environment projects and planning. More specifically, most of the HIAs have been performed on transportation-related projects and/or comprehensive plans. Below is a timeline of HIA activities in Minnesota. Click the chart to open a larger version.
MDH’s Leadership in Promoting HIA
MDH provides leadership in promoting HIA in Minnesota through a variety of activities. Currently MDH provides HIA training, technical assistance, and communications about HIA activities in Minnesota. MDH also performs HIAs, supports policies that promote HIAs, and develops data and tools for the implementation of HIAs.
Grants from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) helped support the following successes from 2009-2011:
- MDH provided training to over 100 people on HIA methodology. Attendees included planners, public health professionals, engineers, and landscape architects.
- MDH provided mini-grants and technical assistance to support two HIAs: 1) Douglas County’s Comprehensive Plan Update HIA, and 2) Duluth’s Complete Streets Resolution, Mobility in the Hillside Neighborhoods & the Schematic Redesign of Sixth Avenue East HIA.
- MDH performed an HIA on St. Louis Park’s Comprehensive Plan and the Divine Mercy Development Environmental Assessment Worksheet in Faribault, Minnesota.
- MDH participated on the Technical Advisory Panel for the Healthy Corridors for All HIA on the Central Corridor Light Rail in St. Paul. Final report: Healthy Corridor for All: A Community Health Impact Assessment of Transit-Oriented Development Policy in Saint Paul, Minnesota
- MDH presented on HIA at several national and state conferences.
- MDH developed a database of health indicators for use in performing HIAs.
- MDH convened a Minnesota HIA Advisory Committee.
MDH's HIA reports are available on the MDH Health Impact Assessment Reports webpage.
