298715
Impacts of HIAs on decision making: Results from of an in-depth evaluation in the United States
Methods: The study used a retrospective, mixed-methods comparative case study design, including a literature review, site visits and interviews with investigators, stakeholders, and decision-makers for 23 completed HIAs in 15 states, and a web-based survey of 173 HIA practitioners.
Results: Analysis of the interviews suggests HIAs can directly influence decisions in non-health sectors. HIAs also influence changes beyond the decision target, help decision-makers see how health is connected to seemingly unrelated issues, build consensus and relationships among decision-makers and their constituents, and give community members a stronger voice in decisions that affect them. Results indicate factors that increase success include careful screening, identifying an appropriate team to conduct the HIA, crafting actionable recommendations, delivering compelling messages to the right audiences at the right times, engaging decision-makers and stakeholders throughout the process, and using multiple dissemination methods. Challenges include underestimating the level of effort required, political changes during the conduct of the HIA, access to relevant local data, incorporating equity and vulnerable populations, and following up on recommendations.
Presenter will discuss: methods, HIA impacts on decision making, other valuable impacts, success factors, and opportunities to address barriers and challenges.
Conclusions: HIAs are a useful tool to promote public health because they can influence decisions in non-health sectors, strengthen cross-sector collaborations, and raise awareness of health issues among decision-makers.
Learning Areas:
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practiceLearning Objectives:
Describe three examples of HIA impacts
Identify at least three factors that promote HIA success
Identify at least three opportunities to address barriers to HIA success
Keyword(s): Public Health Research, Evaluation
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a Research Associate at the Center for Community Health and Evaluation, a non-profit evaluation consulting firm experienced in evaluating community-based interventions. I was principal investigator for this 3-year HIA evaluation project and was involved all aspects of the work. I have been a primary designer, data collector, and analyst on multiple small- and large-scale research and evaluation studies. I am a member of the Equity Working Group of HIA of the Americas.
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.