Media Releases

Policy makers to consider Health Impact Assessments

30 March 2004

A new, practical approach to policy-making that takes into account how a policy will affect people's health and well-being is being introduced to New Zealand for the first time.

A Guide to Health Impact Assessment, developed by the Public Health Advisory Committee (PHAC), was launched today by the Minister of Health, Annette King.

Health Impact Assessment (HIA) is a formal process used to predict the potential health effects of a proposed policy. It is based on the recognition that the strongest influences on health come from outside the health sector, often through social and economic policies.

PHAC spokesperson Professor Neil Pearce, said: "While this is essentially a guide for central and local government policy makers, it is about something that affects everyone. For instance, if the health impacts of the introduction of market rates to state housing rentals had been assessed when the policy was being developed, it may have highlighted some implications for health and prompted a reconsideration of the policy. Health implications could result from overcrowding, which is strongly linked with infectious diseases such as meningococcal disease. "

Similarly, he said that an HIA may have influenced decisions relating to such policies as the lowering of the drinking age, the removal of tariffs on the importing of second hand cars and the introduction of work-testing for the domestic purposes benefit.

Professor Pearce said: "Factors that have the greatest effect on people's health lie outside and beyond the control of the health sector. Income, housing, education and employment can be major factors in the ill health people experience during their lifetime. The economic implications of policy proposals are routinely analysed before policies are finalised. The PHAC believes that central and local government policy should also be routinely analysed for the potential effects on people's health and well-being.

"Health impact assessment can contribute to improving the overall health of the population by ensuring that policies, at the very least, do not produce serious adverse effects on health. It can also play a part in reducing inequalities in health, by ensuring that policies do not exacerbate or continue existing inequalities."

Policymakers from both central and local government are meeting in Wellington today for a symposium on health impact assessment. The day aims to encourage discussion and debate on assessing policies for health effects, and how the HIA process could be used in New Zealand. Speakers include Nancy Krieger (Harvard University) and Alex-Scott-Samuel (Liverpool University).

Professor Pearce said it was hoped that over time, policy makers across government sectors would carry out an HIA for significant policies. Health impact assessment is consistent with the government's sustainable development programme and is part of a range of policy tools that could contribute to a sustainable development approach across government. HIA uses a broad definition of health, which helps to highlight the 'people' impacts of policies, including social, cultural and health dimensions.

For further information on HIA, Contact
Louise Thornley
National Health Committee
(04) 496 2088