Clarifying health impact assessment, integrated impact assessment and health needs assessment
Clarifying health impact assessment, integrated impact assessment and health needs assessment
This paper, produced by the NHS Development Agency, provides a straightforward summary of three approaches used across sectors to help improve health and reduce health inequalities: health impact assessment (HIA), integrated impact assessment (IIA) and health needs assessment (HNA). Each approach produces recommendations for decision-makers, for example, to make suggested amendments to a proposal or change ways of working (HIA and IIA); or to inform strategies, service priorities, commissioning and local delivery plans (HNA).
All three approaches are designed to take account of health inequalities; HIA and IIA by looking at how proposals might affect the most vulnerable groups in society, and HNA by providing a picture of local needs and ensuring joined-up working at all levels. Key to the success of each approach is the involvement of a wide range of stakeholders, gathering the views of the community, and using the best local evidence within available resources. [Adapted from author]