Online Program

287522
Community engagement strategies in health impact assessment


Monday, November 4, 2013 : 3:30 p.m. - 3:50 p.m.

Nicole Iroz-Elardo, School of Community Health, Portland State University, Portland, OR
Health Impact Assessment (HIA) has become increasingly popular in the United States over the past decade. One reason for expansion of HIA practice is a perception that HIA will increase social justice through democratizing decision-making in the planning arena. HIA practice does increases the information base upon which decisions are made. Yet to live up to social justice ideals, the participation norms associated with current HIA practice must be critically evaluated for inclusion of community perspectives and concerns. This project uses a case study methodology to evaluate several participation approaches in recent transportation HIAs. By examining the community engagement strategies of the Clark County, WA Bicycle-Pedestrian Plan HIA and Lake Merritt BART Station Area Plan HIA, community interests are identified and traced through public documents, interviews, and HIA and Plan documents. Comparing the community engagement strategies of these two cases suggests that HIAs supported with community advisory boards comprised of local community-based organizations result in an assessment and plan that is more closely aligned with social justice goals. Integrating community advisory boards into the HIA and planning process, however, is time and resource intensive.

Learning Areas:

Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Other professions or practice related to public health
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
Differentiate potential stakeholder or community engagement strategies as currently utilized in HIA. Evaluate which engagement strategies best meet social justice goals.

Keyword(s): Community Participation, Safe Mother Program

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have studied the intersection of urban planning and health for the past seven years including the expansion of Health Impact Assessment within the U.S. during that time.
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.