Handbook of Health Impact Assessment
Published on 15. May 2026
Book
Hardback
546 pages
978-1-0353-2860-4 (ISBN)
Description
This comprehensive Handbook explores the theory and practice of Health Impact Assessment (HIA) across diverse global contexts, emphasising how the field of public health is essential within the broader health system. It outlines the role of HIA in cultivating and enabling the policy integration and cross-sectoral collaboration necessary to build a just and sustainable world.
Contributing authors examine how HIA identifies the potential health effects of policies, plans, programmes and projects before their implementation. They trace its evolution, highlighting key achievements and persistent challenges in embedding health considerations into planning decisions and policymaking. Chapters investigate crucial evidence-based strategies designed to protect and improve human health, with a particular focus on addressing the needs of vulnerable and marginalised groups. Drawing on case studies, theory and observation, the Handbook evaluates the technical process of HIA, presenting step-by-step guidance on how to foster community participation, competence and best practice.
The Handbook of Health Impact Assessment is an essential read for HIA practitioners, students and scholars, particularly those in the fields of public health, planning and environmental management. It also serves as a vital tool for impact assessment practitioners, public health experts and government bodies seeking to understand and combat the barriers to HIA adoption.
Contributing authors examine how HIA identifies the potential health effects of policies, plans, programmes and projects before their implementation. They trace its evolution, highlighting key achievements and persistent challenges in embedding health considerations into planning decisions and policymaking. Chapters investigate crucial evidence-based strategies designed to protect and improve human health, with a particular focus on addressing the needs of vulnerable and marginalised groups. Drawing on case studies, theory and observation, the Handbook evaluates the technical process of HIA, presenting step-by-step guidance on how to foster community participation, competence and best practice.
The Handbook of Health Impact Assessment is an essential read for HIA practitioners, students and scholars, particularly those in the fields of public health, planning and environmental management. It also serves as a vital tool for impact assessment practitioners, public health experts and government bodies seeking to understand and combat the barriers to HIA adoption.
Reviews / Votes
'This authoritative and timely Handbook brings together global experts to advance the theory and practice of Health Impact Assessment (HIA). Through sector-specific and broader coverage of promoters and barriers to adopting HIA, the book offers practical guidance and forward-looking perspectives essential for those committed to healthier and more equitable development.' -- Helen Pineo, University of Washington, USA 'I find this Handbook does a huge service to the practice of HIA, mapping and critically reflecting on the field and its development over the last 30 years. It presents a range of methodologies used to estimate expected health impacts and discusses experiences of the institutionalization of HIA. It helpfully introduces theory and analysis of how HIA can and has contributed to policymaking addressing the determinants of health. This timely Handbook is a solid basis for reflection on the future of HIA and work to address the determinants of health and health equity. Kudos to the lead organizers who pulled together this overview, bravo!' -- Carlos Dora, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil and New York University, USA, Formerly WHO 'This is an excellent reference material with a comprehensive and authoritative collection of information about HIA that would be useful for both beginners and practitioners in assessing health risks of projects and programs. I particularly like that climate change and artificial intelligence have been included in this must read Handbook.' -- Genandrialine L. Peralta, Independent Consultant, Formerly WHO and ADB, Philippines 'Health in all policies and wellbeing economies offer a powerful vision - but they require tools. This Handbook shows how HIA becomes an actionable method that turns ambition into action, translates complex systems into policy, embeds equity throughout, and supports healthier, fairer decision-making for policymakers from local to national level, practitioners and communities.' -- Charlotte Marchandise, European Public Health Association (EUPHA), the NetherlandsMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Cheltenham
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 244 mm
Width: 169 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-0353-2860-4 (9781035328604)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Edited by Ben Cave, Director, Ben Cave Associates and Honorary Professor, Department of Geography and Planning, University of Liverpool, UK, Francesca Viliani, Public Health and Sustainability Strategist and Advisor, Copenhagen, Denmark and Mirko S. Winkler, Professor of Urban Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), associated institute of the University of Basel, Switzerland
Content
Contents
Foreword xxii
Andrew L. Dannenberg
PART I BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
1 Health Impact Assessment: 30 years gone. 30 years to come 2
Ben Cave, Francesca Viliani and Mirko S. Winkler
2 Avoid the H word - what exactly is assessed? 33
Evelyne de Leeuw
3 Does Health Impact Assessment struggle to have an impact? 44
John Boswell, Paul Cairney and Katie Hirono
PART II PROMOTORS AND BARRIERS FOR ADOPTION OF HIA
4 Law, public health and Health Impact Assessment: time to recognise the
crossover? 60
Safura Abdool Karim, Petronell Kruger and Ben Cave
5 The view of governments: institutionalising Health Impact Assessments in
the Republic of Korea 77
Jinhee Kim
6 The view of International Financial Institutions on Health Impact
Assessment 99
Mariana Ruiz Alvarado
7 Health Impact Assessment in energy companies 114
Delya Sommerville and Yina Xiao
8 The role of local communities in Health Impact Assessment 133
Philippe Hanna, Flavio Wiik and Marcia Grisotti
9 Roles of academia in the development of Health Impact Assessment and
health in environmental assessments - reflections on higher education
teaching and research 146
Thomas B. Fischer and Gabriel Gulis
10 Health Impact Assessment in urban development in the United Kingdom:
current and future pathways through complex systems of policy, law and
practice 159
Daniel Black, Michael Chang and Ed Kirton-Darling
PART III CONSTANTS OF HIA - THE TECHNICAL PROCESS
11 A walk through the steps of Health Impact Assessment 170
Ryngan Pyper and Ben Cave
12 Community participation in Health Impact Assessment 180
Brigit Staatsen, Janneke Elberse and Lea den Broeder
13 Achieving best practice in Health Impact Assessment - how can Health
Impact Assessment guidance support the principles and values? 196
Margaret J. Douglas, Ros McDermott, Fiona Haigh and Liz Green
14 Competence and the development of competency frameworks in the field
of Health Impact Assessment 223
Liz Green, Kathryn Ashton, Martin Birley, Piedad Martin-Olmedo and
Luciana Costa
15 Equity and intersectionality in Health Impact Assessment: challenges and
opportunities for practice 240
Katie Hirono, Marcus Chilaka and Fiona Haigh
PART IV HIA KEY APPLICATIONS
16 Health Impact Assessment in the urban context 258
Simone Georges El Khouri Miraglia and Karina Camasmie Abe
17 Health Impact Assessment on road infrastructure projects: current practice
and way forward 273
Guilhem Dardier, Derek P.T.H. Christie, Jean Simos, Nicola
Cantoreggi, Anne Roue Le Gall and Francoise Jabot
18 Health Impact Assessment in the extractive industries sector: history,
practical experience and a best practice example from sub-Saharan Africa 293
Astrid M. Knoblauch, Gary R. Krieger, Mark J. Divall and Mirko S. Winkler
19 Health Impact Assessment and Indigenous Peoples 310
Christa Meuter, Bernie Elkins,Laura Jokinen and Janis Shandro
20 Quantitative, research-driven Health Impact Assessment of urban planning
and transport policies 332
Natalie Mueller, Tamara Iungman, Sasha Khomenko, Evelise Pereira
Barboza, Meelan Thondoo, Mark J. Nieuwenhuijsen and Carolyn Daher
21 Health Impact Assessment of sports mega-events 352
Julien Forbat, Muriel Dubreuil, Nicola Cantoreggi, Celine Legout,
Derek P.T.H. Christie and Jean Simos
22 The Metropolitan Land Use Plan as a tool for health promotion and
sustainable development: the role of Health Impact Assessment in Quebec
City 370
Alexandre Lebel, Louis-Etienne Pigeon, Emile Tremblay and Thierno Diallo
PART V CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES IN HIA AND METHODOLOGICAL
APPROACHES
23 Climate change and Health Impact Assessment 384
Ivan C. Hanigan and Aditya Vyas
24 One Health in impact assessment to tackle emerging infectious diseases
and other threats 407
Catherine Machalaba, Paula Ribeiro Prist, Lauren C. Cybulska,
Osman A. Dar, Urias S. Goll, Thais Guimaraes Luiz, Monicque Silva
Pereira, Solomon P. Wright and Francesca Viliani
25 Implementation of Health Impact Assessment in Quebec: a history of
collaboration between provincial, regional and local levels 430
Emile Tremblay, Marc Lemire, Alexandre Lebel, Genevieve Lapointe
and Thierno Diallo
26 Psycho-social impacts and Health Impact Assessment 441
Michael R. Edelstein, Sergio Moreira, Helen Ross and Will Rifkin
27 Introduction to Quantitative Health Impact Assessment 456
Davide Rasella, Daniella Medeiros Cavalcanti, Andrea Ferreira
da Silva, Rodrigo Volmir Rezende Anderle, Gonzalo Barreix Sibils,
Vanessa Gorasso and Brecht Devleesschauwer
28 A One Health Approach to Risk Assessment 470
Sharon Calvin
29 How can AI enhance Health Impact Assessments? 488
Silviu-Vlad Pirvu, Wai Pan Stephen Law, Thais Russomano and Valentina Cavanna
Foreword xxii
Andrew L. Dannenberg
PART I BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
1 Health Impact Assessment: 30 years gone. 30 years to come 2
Ben Cave, Francesca Viliani and Mirko S. Winkler
2 Avoid the H word - what exactly is assessed? 33
Evelyne de Leeuw
3 Does Health Impact Assessment struggle to have an impact? 44
John Boswell, Paul Cairney and Katie Hirono
PART II PROMOTORS AND BARRIERS FOR ADOPTION OF HIA
4 Law, public health and Health Impact Assessment: time to recognise the
crossover? 60
Safura Abdool Karim, Petronell Kruger and Ben Cave
5 The view of governments: institutionalising Health Impact Assessments in
the Republic of Korea 77
Jinhee Kim
6 The view of International Financial Institutions on Health Impact
Assessment 99
Mariana Ruiz Alvarado
7 Health Impact Assessment in energy companies 114
Delya Sommerville and Yina Xiao
8 The role of local communities in Health Impact Assessment 133
Philippe Hanna, Flavio Wiik and Marcia Grisotti
9 Roles of academia in the development of Health Impact Assessment and
health in environmental assessments - reflections on higher education
teaching and research 146
Thomas B. Fischer and Gabriel Gulis
10 Health Impact Assessment in urban development in the United Kingdom:
current and future pathways through complex systems of policy, law and
practice 159
Daniel Black, Michael Chang and Ed Kirton-Darling
PART III CONSTANTS OF HIA - THE TECHNICAL PROCESS
11 A walk through the steps of Health Impact Assessment 170
Ryngan Pyper and Ben Cave
12 Community participation in Health Impact Assessment 180
Brigit Staatsen, Janneke Elberse and Lea den Broeder
13 Achieving best practice in Health Impact Assessment - how can Health
Impact Assessment guidance support the principles and values? 196
Margaret J. Douglas, Ros McDermott, Fiona Haigh and Liz Green
14 Competence and the development of competency frameworks in the field
of Health Impact Assessment 223
Liz Green, Kathryn Ashton, Martin Birley, Piedad Martin-Olmedo and
Luciana Costa
15 Equity and intersectionality in Health Impact Assessment: challenges and
opportunities for practice 240
Katie Hirono, Marcus Chilaka and Fiona Haigh
PART IV HIA KEY APPLICATIONS
16 Health Impact Assessment in the urban context 258
Simone Georges El Khouri Miraglia and Karina Camasmie Abe
17 Health Impact Assessment on road infrastructure projects: current practice
and way forward 273
Guilhem Dardier, Derek P.T.H. Christie, Jean Simos, Nicola
Cantoreggi, Anne Roue Le Gall and Francoise Jabot
18 Health Impact Assessment in the extractive industries sector: history,
practical experience and a best practice example from sub-Saharan Africa 293
Astrid M. Knoblauch, Gary R. Krieger, Mark J. Divall and Mirko S. Winkler
19 Health Impact Assessment and Indigenous Peoples 310
Christa Meuter, Bernie Elkins,Laura Jokinen and Janis Shandro
20 Quantitative, research-driven Health Impact Assessment of urban planning
and transport policies 332
Natalie Mueller, Tamara Iungman, Sasha Khomenko, Evelise Pereira
Barboza, Meelan Thondoo, Mark J. Nieuwenhuijsen and Carolyn Daher
21 Health Impact Assessment of sports mega-events 352
Julien Forbat, Muriel Dubreuil, Nicola Cantoreggi, Celine Legout,
Derek P.T.H. Christie and Jean Simos
22 The Metropolitan Land Use Plan as a tool for health promotion and
sustainable development: the role of Health Impact Assessment in Quebec
City 370
Alexandre Lebel, Louis-Etienne Pigeon, Emile Tremblay and Thierno Diallo
PART V CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES IN HIA AND METHODOLOGICAL
APPROACHES
23 Climate change and Health Impact Assessment 384
Ivan C. Hanigan and Aditya Vyas
24 One Health in impact assessment to tackle emerging infectious diseases
and other threats 407
Catherine Machalaba, Paula Ribeiro Prist, Lauren C. Cybulska,
Osman A. Dar, Urias S. Goll, Thais Guimaraes Luiz, Monicque Silva
Pereira, Solomon P. Wright and Francesca Viliani
25 Implementation of Health Impact Assessment in Quebec: a history of
collaboration between provincial, regional and local levels 430
Emile Tremblay, Marc Lemire, Alexandre Lebel, Genevieve Lapointe
and Thierno Diallo
26 Psycho-social impacts and Health Impact Assessment 441
Michael R. Edelstein, Sergio Moreira, Helen Ross and Will Rifkin
27 Introduction to Quantitative Health Impact Assessment 456
Davide Rasella, Daniella Medeiros Cavalcanti, Andrea Ferreira
da Silva, Rodrigo Volmir Rezende Anderle, Gonzalo Barreix Sibils,
Vanessa Gorasso and Brecht Devleesschauwer
28 A One Health Approach to Risk Assessment 470
Sharon Calvin
29 How can AI enhance Health Impact Assessments? 488
Silviu-Vlad Pirvu, Wai Pan Stephen Law, Thais Russomano and Valentina Cavanna