A Health Impact Assessment of Traffic and Transport in Ballyfermot. Dublin: Eastern Regional Health Authority

Abstract

The World Health Organisation defines health as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease". Using this broad definition of health, a wide range of economic, social and environmental policies as well as access to health services influence the health of communities. A Health Impact Assessment (HIA) is a means of looking at the potential health effects, both positive and negative, of these policies for example public transport policy. HIA can be undertaken in varying levels of detail, as a rapid process or as a more in-depth study and it can be applied to programmes or projects as well as policies. Ideally HIA should be applied before the policy, programme or project is carried out to ensure that steps are take at the planning stage to maximise the positive and minimise the negative effects, particularly in those most likely to experience the negative effects.