Health impact assessments should be mandatory for all relevant government policies

Datos Bibliográficos

ID21467064
AutoresHeidi Lynch (0000-0002-6492-9754, Queen Mary University of London, autor de correspondencia), Ian Holdroyd (0000-0001-7011-4116, University of Cambridge), Martin Birley (0000-0001-8667-0707, Bristol Industrial and Research Associates (United Kingdom)), Daniel Black (0000-0002-1474-6992, Daniel Black and Associates (United States)), Ben Cave (0000-0001-5754-8948, University of Groningen), M Joanne Douglas (0000-0003-1560-5451, Public Health Scotland), Rowena Ekermawi (Arup Group (United Kingdom)), Liz Green (0000-0001-9218-3526, Department of Health), Fiona Haigh (0000-0002-5706-5118, UNSW Sydney), Ben Harris-Roxa (0000-0003-1716-2009, UNSW Sydney), Monica O’Mullane (0000-0002-5649-1932, University College Cork), Joanna Purdy (0000-0003-2846-8775, Institute of Public Health), Anna Stevenson (0000-0002-9017-6338), Anna J Stevenson (0000-0002-0435-3562, National Public Health Laboratory), Salim Vohra (0000-0002-5658-8865, Public Health England), John Ford (0000-0001-8033-7081), John D Ford (Queen Mary University of London)
Año2025
Volumen162
Páginas105436
Fecha de publicación2025-12-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaHealth Policy (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0168-8510 • E-ISSN: 1872-6054
EditorialElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.healthpol.2025.105436
PMID41016243
OpenAlexW4414245141
IdiomaEN
Referencias citadas9

Consistent and systematic integration of health considerations in upstream political decision making is needed to improve population health and enhance health equity. Previous research supports the effectiveness of Health Impact Assessments (HIA), as a key component of a Health in All Policies (HiAP) approach, demonstrating its ability to influence cross-government policies that affect health and health equity. HiAP is an approach to embedding health and health equity in multi-sector decision making. Despite proven potential, HIA has historically been used sporadically and opportunistically rather than as a part of routine policy making. Here we argue that mandatory HIA in national policy, as part of an overall HiAP approach, is needed to achieve effective and sustained cross-government action on health and equity. Implementing mandatory HIAs would ensure that health considerations are routinely evaluated in policy decisions, enabling governments to proactively address health disparities and improve public well-being. Harnessing the benefits of HIA requires political commitment to an evidence-informed approach to population health, with dedicated civil service support, and a mandatory screening and assessment process for significant policies. A systematic and obligatory approach would foster accountability, enhance policy coherence and ultimately promote health and equity. It would also send a clear message that consideration of health is a non-negotiable in every policy decision

Health impact assessment · Health promotion · Population · Population health · Public health · Environmental and Social Impact Assessments · Global Public Health Policies and Epidemiology · Health Systems, Economic Evaluations, Quality of Life · Health Policy