Advancing equity through Health Impact Assessments

Abstract Although equity is recognised as a basic principle and core component of an HIA, research shows that equity is not always adequately addressed in an HIA. Reasons for this include inadequate guidance, absence of definitions, and poor data and evidence, among others. In this context, EuroHealthNet has developed a guide with and for the EuroHealthNet Partnership, providing information on methodologies, existing resources, good practices, and recommendations to ensure the successful implementation and uptake of equity-focused HIAs. Among key steps to ensure an equity-focused HIA are the inclusion of disaggregated research data, the involvement and engagement throughout the whole HIA process of impacted population groups, the development of community profiles providing information on the sociopolitical and cultural context in which the intervention is to be implemented, and the prioritisation of HIA recommendations that have the most impact on reducing health inequalities. Alongside developing this guide, EuroHealthNet is also conducting health impact assessments to understand the potential health equity impacts of nature-based therapies (NbTs), as a partner of the EU-funded RESONATE research project. Using a mixed-methods approach, the RESONATE HIAs aim at understanding the uneven distribution of health determinants affected by NbTs that could potentially influence health outcomes, as well as how health determinants influence NbT uptake, and how these are distributed among different population groups. So far, several workshops with local stakeholders have taken place in Barcelona, Padova and Salzburg, where NbT interventions are being implemented. Early results of this ongoing work reveal clear differences among population groups depending on their age, gender, economic status, physical condition, postal code, migrant background, or occupation schedules.