Volume 20, Issue 2 (7-2017)
Hakim 2017, 20(2): 64-72 |
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Fakhri A, Maleki M. Approach to Health Impact Assessment in Iran (Health Annex) and challenges facing it. Hakim 2017; 20 (2) :64-72
URL: http://hakim.tums.ac.ir/article-1-1773-en.html
URL: http://hakim.tums.ac.ir/article-1-1773-en.html
1- , fakhri-a@kaums.ac.ir
Abstract: (4575 Views)
Approach to Health Impact Assessment in Iran (Health Annex) and challenges facing it
Ali Fakhri (MD, MPH, PhD)1, Mohammadreza Maleki (PhD)2
1 Health Policy, Social Determinants of Health (SDH) Research Center,
Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
2 Department of Health Service Management, School of Health Management and
Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
2 Department of Health Service Management, School of Health Management and
Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: Health impact Assessment (HIA) helps decision makers to predict the Health Impact of proposed projects, programs, and policies. The Fifth Development Plan of Islamic Republic of Iran obligated implementing HIA of Developmental Plans’ as ‘Health Annex’. The questions asked are, what is the Iranian
approach to HIA and what are challenges facing it?
Methods: To carry out this study, we used the data emerged from a qualitative study performed through semistructured interviews with key informants. The data from the interviews were analyzed manually using the thematic content analysis method.
Results: Codes extracted from data analysis were placed respectively under 2 principle themes of ‘approach to HIA’ and ‘Challenges of this approach’. There were some notable subthemes such as assignation of developing the ‘National Standards of Health Annex’to Environment and Occupational Health Center, emphasis on environmental factors, opposition to direct community participation, and opposition to integration with Environmental Impact Assessment.
Conclusion: The current approach of health authorities of the HIA system to HIA is an environmental healthapproach. Considering its challenges and other countries’ experiences, this approach could be a barrier in progressing HIA for programs and policies and could limit the role of this tool to achieve healthy public policy and to control the social determinants of health.
Key words: Health Impact Assessment (HIA), Health annex, The Fifth Development Plan, healthy public policy
Introduction: Health impact Assessment (HIA) helps decision makers to predict the Health Impact of proposed projects, programs, and policies. The Fifth Development Plan of Islamic Republic of Iran obligated implementing HIA of Developmental Plans’ as ‘Health Annex’. The questions asked are, what is the Iranian
approach to HIA and what are challenges facing it?
Methods: To carry out this study, we used the data emerged from a qualitative study performed through semistructured interviews with key informants. The data from the interviews were analyzed manually using the thematic content analysis method.
Results: Codes extracted from data analysis were placed respectively under 2 principle themes of ‘approach to HIA’ and ‘Challenges of this approach’. There were some notable subthemes such as assignation of developing the ‘National Standards of Health Annex’to Environment and Occupational Health Center, emphasis on environmental factors, opposition to direct community participation, and opposition to integration with Environmental Impact Assessment.
Conclusion: The current approach of health authorities of the HIA system to HIA is an environmental healthapproach. Considering its challenges and other countries’ experiences, this approach could be a barrier in progressing HIA for programs and policies and could limit the role of this tool to achieve healthy public policy and to control the social determinants of health.
Key words: Health Impact Assessment (HIA), Health annex, The Fifth Development Plan, healthy public policy
Please cite this article as follows:
Fakhri A, Maleki M. Approach to Health Impact Assessment in Iran (Health Annex) and challenges facing it. Hakim Health Sys Res 2017; 20(2): 64- 72.
*Corresponding Author: Department of Public Health, School of Public Health, 5th km Ravand Road, Kashan, Iran. Tel: +98-3155540021-25,Fax: +98-3155540111, E-mail: fakhri-a@kaums.ac.ir
*Corresponding Author: Department of Public Health, School of Public Health, 5th km Ravand Road, Kashan, Iran. Tel: +98-3155540021-25,Fax: +98-3155540111, E-mail: fakhri-a@kaums.ac.ir
Keywords: Health Impact Assessment (HIA), Health annex, The Fifth Development Plan, healthy public policy
Type of Study: Original |
Received: 2018/02/4 | Accepted: 2018/02/4 | Published: 2018/02/4
Received: 2018/02/4 | Accepted: 2018/02/4 | Published: 2018/02/4
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