Lauren N Gase1, Amelia R DeFosset1, Maxim Gakh2, Celia Harris3, Susan R Weisman4, Andrew L Dannenberg5. 1. Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, 3530 Wilshire Boulevard, 8th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90010. 2. Health Law Program, School of Community Health Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Box 453064, 4505 South Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89154. 3. Human Impact Partners, 304 12th Street, Suite 2B, Oakland, CA 94607. 4. Public Health Law Center, Mitchell Hamline School of Law, 875 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105. 5. Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Department of Urban Design and Planning, College of Built Environments, University of Washington, Box 357234, Seattle, WA 98195.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Health impact assessment (HIA) provides a structured process for examining the potential health impacts of proposed policies, plans, programs, and projects. This study systematically reviewed HIAs conducted in the United States on prekindergarten, primary, and secondary education-focused decisions. METHODS: Relevant HIA reports were identified from web sources in late 2015. Key data elements were abstracted from each report. Four case studies were selected to highlight diversity of topics, methods, and impacts of the assessment process. RESULTS: Twenty HIAs completed in 2003-2015 from 8 states on issues related to prekindergarten through secondary education were identified. The types of decisions examined included school structure and funding, transportation to and from school, physical modifications to school facilities, in-school physical activity and nutrition, and school discipline and climate. Assessments employed a range of methods to characterize the nature, magnitude, and severity of potential health impacts. Assessments fostered stakeholder engagement and provided health-promoting recommendations, some of which were subsequently incorporated into school policies. CONCLUSIONS: Health impact assessment is a promising tool that education, health, and other stakeholders can use to maximize the health and well-being of students, families, and communities.
BACKGROUND: Health impact assessment (HIA) provides a structured process for examining the potential health impacts of proposed policies, plans, programs, and projects. This study systematically reviewed HIAs conducted in the United States on prekindergarten, primary, and secondary education-focused decisions. METHODS: Relevant HIA reports were identified from web sources in late 2015. Key data elements were abstracted from each report. Four case studies were selected to highlight diversity of topics, methods, and impacts of the assessment process. RESULTS: Twenty HIAs completed in 2003-2015 from 8 states on issues related to prekindergarten through secondary education were identified. The types of decisions examined included school structure and funding, transportation to and from school, physical modifications to school facilities, in-school physical activity and nutrition, and school discipline and climate. Assessments employed a range of methods to characterize the nature, magnitude, and severity of potential health impacts. Assessments fostered stakeholder engagement and provided health-promoting recommendations, some of which were subsequently incorporated into school policies. CONCLUSIONS: Health impact assessment is a promising tool that education, health, and other stakeholders can use to maximize the health and well-being of students, families, and communities.
Authors: Emily Bever; Kimberly T Arnold; Ruth Lindberg; Andrew L Dannenberg; Rebecca Morley; Jill Breysse; Keshia M Pollack Porter Journal: J Hous Built Environ Date: 2021-01-09