''Health Impact Assessments Take on Broader Role in Cities and States''
Aaron Wernham, director of the Health Impact Project discusses the benefits of health impact assessments in this edition of Governing.
More infoFunding from Kaiser Permanente Colorado Will Support Sustainable HIA Program in Denver Metro Region
The Health Impact Project, a collaboration of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and The Pew Charitable Trusts, today announced that Kaiser Permanente Colorado will support one health impact assessment (HIA) program grant, of up to $250,000, in the Denver metropolitan region. Preference will be given to proposals that address transportation-related policies, projects, and plans. This includes land-use decisions related to transportation projects, such as transit oriented design. But, applicants proposing HIAs in all policy areas are welcome to apply. No prior HIA experience is necessary to be eligible for this grant opportunity. Training, technical assistance and mentoring will be provided throughout the grant period.
An HIA helps policy makers identify the likely health impacts of a decision in another field, such as building a major roadway, planning a city’s growth or developing agricultural policy. HIAs can assist decision makers in identifying unintended risks, reducing unnecessary costs, finding practical solutions, and leveraging opportunities to improve the wellness of the community.
“Kaiser Permanente’s investment will help build the skills, experience and collaborations needed to implement a successful HIA program in the Denver metro area,” said Aaron Wernham, M.D., director of the Health Impact Project. “This collaboration will build off of Kaiser’s significant presence in the Denver metro region and strengthen efforts to support well-informed, health-promoting policy decisions.”
As Colorado’s largest nonprofit health plan, Kaiser Permanente Colorado has proudly worked to improve the lives and health of Colorado residents for more than 40 years. Kaiser Permanente Colorado provides comprehensive health care services to more than 535,000 members through 26 medical offices and a network of affiliated hospitals and physicians. Kaiser Permanente recognizes that much of a person’s health is determined by where they live, work, play and learn, which is why Kaiser Permanente Colorado invested more than $90 million to community benefit programs in 2011 to improve the health of all Coloradans.
The Health Impact Project grant was made possible by Kaiser Permanente Colorado Community Benefit funding to connect health research to land use and planning decisions, creating healthy communities.
“We must invest in our communities to ensure people have access to education, jobs, housing and healthy choices. Without places for people to walk/bike or to purchase healthy foods, we will miss the opportunity to create health outside of the medical home,” said Donna Lynne, president of Kaiser Permanente Colorado. “The Health Impact Project will support work with local leaders to determine how health can be supported in Metro Denver communities.”
The HIA program grant of up to $250,000 will allow an organization in the Denver metropolitan region to conduct at least two new HIAs and to implement a plan that establishes the relationships, systems and funding mechanisms needed to maintain a stable, self-supporting HIA program that endures beyond the conclusion of the grant period.
The Health Impact Project will host a conference call for potential applicants on October 18 at 2 p.m. MT. Registration is required.
Applications for the Kaiser Denver metro HIA program grant opportunity are due Wednesday, October 31, 2012, at 5 p.m. MT.
Visit the Health Impact Project Funding Opportunities page to learn more about the announcement and to begin the online application process.
An HIA helps policy makers identify the likely health impacts of a decision in another field, such as building a major roadway, planning a city’s growth or developing agricultural policy. HIAs can assist decision makers in identifying unintended risks, reducing unnecessary costs, finding practical solutions, and leveraging opportunities to improve the wellness of the community.
“Kaiser Permanente’s investment will help build the skills, experience and collaborations needed to implement a successful HIA program in the Denver metro area,” said Aaron Wernham, M.D., director of the Health Impact Project. “This collaboration will build off of Kaiser’s significant presence in the Denver metro region and strengthen efforts to support well-informed, health-promoting policy decisions.”
As Colorado’s largest nonprofit health plan, Kaiser Permanente Colorado has proudly worked to improve the lives and health of Colorado residents for more than 40 years. Kaiser Permanente Colorado provides comprehensive health care services to more than 535,000 members through 26 medical offices and a network of affiliated hospitals and physicians. Kaiser Permanente recognizes that much of a person’s health is determined by where they live, work, play and learn, which is why Kaiser Permanente Colorado invested more than $90 million to community benefit programs in 2011 to improve the health of all Coloradans.
The Health Impact Project grant was made possible by Kaiser Permanente Colorado Community Benefit funding to connect health research to land use and planning decisions, creating healthy communities.
“We must invest in our communities to ensure people have access to education, jobs, housing and healthy choices. Without places for people to walk/bike or to purchase healthy foods, we will miss the opportunity to create health outside of the medical home,” said Donna Lynne, president of Kaiser Permanente Colorado. “The Health Impact Project will support work with local leaders to determine how health can be supported in Metro Denver communities.”
The HIA program grant of up to $250,000 will allow an organization in the Denver metropolitan region to conduct at least two new HIAs and to implement a plan that establishes the relationships, systems and funding mechanisms needed to maintain a stable, self-supporting HIA program that endures beyond the conclusion of the grant period.
The Health Impact Project will host a conference call for potential applicants on October 18 at 2 p.m. MT. Registration is required.
Applications for the Kaiser Denver metro HIA program grant opportunity are due Wednesday, October 31, 2012, at 5 p.m. MT.
Visit the Health Impact Project Funding Opportunities page to learn more about the announcement and to begin the online application process.
- Date added:
- Oct 9, 2012
- Project:
- Health Impact Project
- Topic:
- Health Impact Assessment
Related Resources
New Projects Bringing Health Considerations into Education, Energy Policy, and Other Decisions
The Health Impact Project announced eight new grant recipients that will receive funding to conduct health impact assessments, or HIAs. The projects will bring health considerations into upcoming decisions on topics including education, sanitation infrastructure, and energy. The grantees were selected based on their response to a national call for proposals.
More infoThe Rise of HIAs in the United States
The field of health impact assessments is growing quickly as more and more cities and states are finding HIAs to be a useful way to bring health ino the conversation. View the infographic for more information about the rise of HIAs in the United States. More infoNational Public Health Week
This year's celebration of National Public Health Week (NPHW) focuses on the theme, "Public Health is ROI: Save Lives, Save Money." Join us in recognizing the work of Pew's Health Initiatives. More infoGreenville Conducts Health Impact Assessment
The city of Greenville, South Carolina recently completed a yearlong health impact assessment with support from Pew's Health Impact Project.
More infoFunding Available in Minnesota to Identify Health Opportunities, Risks of Upcoming Decisions
The Health Impact Project announces a request for proposals (RFP) that will fund three grants of up to $100,000 each to identify and address potential health impacts of an upcoming decision in each of their communities or state through the use of health impact assessments (HIA).
More info''Construction That Focuses on Health of Residents''
The New York Times interviews Aaron Wernham, project director for the Health Impact Project, about the growing field of health impact assessments.
More infoTraining Available In Minnesota To Build Healthier Communities Through Health Impact Assessment
Minnesota organizations are invited to participate in an in-person training to learn about health impact assessments (HIAs). An HIA can help improve the well-being of local communities by incorporating health into decisions in other sectors.
More info''Report: Cutting School Junk Food Boosts Kids’ Health, Doesn’t Hurt School Budgets''
"A new report from the Pew Charitable Trusts and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation concludes that getting rid of junk food at school boosts kids’ health and doesn’t hurt schools financially. Even many snack food companies are on board."
More info''Group recommends raising nutrition standards in schools''
"'The evidence is clear and compelling,' said Jessica Donze Black, director of the Kids’ Safe & Healthful Foods Project in a press release. 'Implementing strong national nutrition standards to make the snacks and beverages our children consume healthier is something that schools and districts can afford. The USDA should do all it can to finalize and help implement strong standards.'"
More info''Taking Health Into Account''
Aaron Wernham, director of the Health Impact Project, explains how by systematically assessing the health risks of development decisions upfront, health impact assessments can prevent costly and harmful mistakes.
More info''School lunches healthier, Administrators work to balance nutrition with appeal to students''
"A study released late last month delivers the message: Make competitive foods offered in schools healthier, too. The study was a collaboration between the Pew Charitable Trusts and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and came from two projects, the Kids’ Safe and Healthful Foods Project – the director, Jessica Donze Black, is a University of Delaware graduate – and the Health Impact Project."
More infoFunding Available to Bring Health Into Decision in Non-Health Sectors
The Health Impact Project, a collaboration of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and The Pew Charitable Trusts, announced a call for proposals for grants to conduct health impact assessments (HIAs). HIAs identify and address the health impacts of decisions in other sectors, such as planning roads, passing agriculture legislation, or siting schools.
More infoCollaboration Examines Impact of Updated USDA Standards
Pew and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation collaborate to examine impact of updated USDA standards for snack and a la carte foods and beverages sold in schools.
More info''New school nutrition standards on horizon''
"A recent study has reaffirmed what local school officials already knew: Student health and school budgets can both benefit from higher nutrition standards."
More info
