244933 Integrating health impact considerations into Developments of Regional Impact (DRIs)

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Elizabeth Fuller, DrPH , Georgia Health Policy Center, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
Developments of Regional Impact (DRIs) are large-scale developments that are likely to have regional effects beyond the local government jurisdiction in which they are located. The Georgia Planning Act of 1989 authorized the Department of Community Affairs to establish procedures for review of these large-scale projects. These procedures are designed to improve communication between affected governments and to provide a means of assessing potential impacts of large-scale developments before conflicts relating to them arise. When a large scale project triggers a DRI review, the development is studied to determine whether it is in the best interest of the region, and therefore, the state. Currently, DRI reviews include assessments of the adequacy of local assets and services, such as solid waste facilities and storm water management, and the potential impact of the development on the area's resources, such as wetlands and endangered species. To date, there is no overall assessment of the potential health impacts of DRI proposals. In 2010-11, the Georgia Health Policy Center engaged stakeholders to explore a method of integrating elements of health impact assessments into the DRI application and approval process. This presentation will describe the process of engagement with the local policy makers from a “health in all policies” perspective, and describe how a health impact assessment checklist can serve as a useful tool for assisting local and state policy makers in gauging potential health effects of specific Developments of Regional Impact.

Learning Areas:
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
1. List 3 elements of a proposed development which trigger a DRI review 2. Discuss methods for engaging stakeholders and policy makers in discussions about health 3. Describe the use of a health impact assessment (HIA) checklist as a tool for policy makers

Keywords: Planning, Policy/Policy Development

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: My educational training is in public health policy (MSPH from School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham) and social determinants of health (DrPH from Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University). I received training on Health Impact Assessments (HIAs) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. I am on a team that recently conducted a HIA on the Impacts of Zoning for a large scale redevelopment plan, which is occuring as a result of Base Realignment and Closure Act (BRAC). My current work is in the implementation of "health in all policies" at the state and local level, with a focus on building relationships with policy makers and stakeholders to identify windows of opportunity for health considerations to be incorporated into city planning, transportation, and housing regulations and policies.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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