HIA of Gender Pay Inequity

Statistics show that despite advancements in the types of jobs pursued and the level of education attained, women still earn considerably less than men. This persistent disparity can have a profound impact on the health statuses of women, especially minorities and their children.  Under the technical guidance of Human Impact Partners from Oakland, California, a local public health team in Wayne County, Michigan used the health impact assessment (HIA) methodology to exam existing conditions and potential impacts of proposed equal pay legislation related to women’s and children’s morbidity and mortality, stress and access to health care and insurance. 

Acknowledging that the HIA methodology has become a more widespread tool for public health practice, the team used this framework to predict potential future health impacts of economic policies and legislation, to educate legislators and to increase community involvement in public health decision making.  HIA activities included applying the five traditional steps of the HIA process: screening, scoping, assessment, recommendation and reporting results. The main focus of the research included a detailed literature review, as well as collection and analysis of primary and secondary local, state and national data.

Results clearly indicate that the adoption of pay equity legislation can improve women’s and children’s health statuses and outcomes.  Implementing this methodology can also serve to build momentum for the use of the HIA framework to examine other proposed policies and to increase public health advocacy efforts pertaining to other women’s and children’s health issues such as infant mortality reduction.