Edward Elgar Publishing Handbook of Health Impact Assessment (Research Handbooks on Impact Assessment series)

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.