Health Impact Assessment

This work has been commissioned to provide an independent review and synthesis of research evidence on the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of Health Impact Assessment (HIA) in spatial planning. It will aim to provide national and local policy makers with the best available evidence to determine the implications for practice and to contribute to developing HIA guidance for England in particular (guidance in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland currently exists).

We will identify, appraise and synthesise the evidence from published research and policy documents in order to produce an evidence review which can add to our understanding of the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of Health Impact Assessment in spatial planning, and inform future policy and practice. The review will also identify if there are significant gaps in the relevant evidence base.

The first stage will involve completion of scoping literature searches and identification of relevant evidence including database and website searches. A workshop (and additional consultation as required) with stakeholders and topic experts will be used to refine the review questions and inclusion criteria, identify unpublished evidence, and ensure that the review will be meaningful to those working in the field of HIA in spatial planning.

A mixed methods review will be undertaken (where the evidence permits), incorporating a synthesis of intervention studies, observational studies and qualitative studies. Given the complex nature of the topic, the review will take an iterative approach to evidence identification and synthesis and seek advice from key topic experts and stakeholders to ensure that relevant evidence is identified and appropriately interpreted.

In consultation with stakeholders, the review will form the basis for evidence-based recommendations for policy, service development and future research, including the development of HIA guidance for England.