Getting Going with Health Impact Assessment
On 6th November the first ‘Getting Going with Health Impact Assessment’ knowledge translation event in Ireland took place in UCC. The event was hosted as part of the TRANSLATE-HIA project, funded under the HRB Knowledge Translation Award 2024 scheme. The purpose of TRANSLATE-HIA is to share findings from the HIA-IM research project. Both projects are led by Dr Monica O’Mullane (PI), with Dr Tara Kenny working as postdoctoral researcher on HIA-IM, and Eibhlín Looney as Research Assistant on TRANSLATE-HIA. Steering Group members include Dr Diarmuid O’Donovan (Health Improvement team, HSE), Vinnie O’Shea (Sláintecare Healthy Communites Programme), Dr Margaret Douglas (Public Health Scotland), Bernie Connolly (The Environmental Forum), Leonora McConville (Sligo County Council), Dr Joanna Purdy (Institute of Public Health Ireland), Dr Sheena McHugh and Dr Ger Mullally (UCC).
As part of HIA-IM, a HIA implementation model is being created using action research and implementation science frameworks applied to the conduct of two HIAs. These two HIAs address the Cork City Development Plan (2022-2028) and the national Climate Action Plan 2024. These HIAs are the first of their kind in these policy areas in Ireland. Sharing the time-relevant findings in a knowledge translation context is necessary, impactful and beneficial.
A knowledge translation event, drawing on the HIA-IM research findings, was held on Thursday 6th November in the Dr Dora Allman room in The Hub. Eibhlín Looney led the charge with wonderful event planning. There were ~60 people at the event from the HSE, NGOs, local authorities, private sector, and academic settings. Professor Ella Arensman opened the event and set an optimistic tone for the day, reminding everyone that we are not only getting going with HIA, but keeping going with the approach. Dr O’Mullane presented an overview of HIA in Ireland, the purpose of HIA-IM project, along with implementation science informed findings that Dr Kenny is working so meticulously on currently. These findings are informing a strategy for building awareness and support for HIA in Ireland. This strategy forms the basis of a Getting Going with HIA Informational Resource, which will be underpinned by HIA-IM findings, and contributions from event attendees during a World Café held in the afternoon of the event.
A fantastic line-up of motivating speakers shared their experience with HIA. Karen O’Mahony, Senior Executive Planner and Urban Designer for Cork City Council, who was a member of the HIA on the Cork City Development Plan HIA, spoke about Cork City Council’s experience of embedding HIA. Karen recently presented on the HIA at the Healthy Cities Design Conference in Manchester, receiving a positive response in the work. Next up was Johnny Liu, an experienced architect and urban designer, who recently led on the Health in Planning agenda at the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. Johnny spoke about integrating Health Impact Assessments into development proposals and advocating for a health-equity lens to be applied throughout the planning process. As you can see from the photo, the audience was captivated listening to Johnny! Dr Margaret Douglas, Public Health Consultant in Public Health Scotland, spoke about her more than 25 year’s experience with advancing HIA in Scotland. Dr Liz Green, Public Health Wales, concluded the presentations, sharing her experience as Director of the Wales HIA Support Unit. A discussion session followed, facilitated by Denise Cahill, Coordinator of WHO Cork Healthy Cities.
The afternoon involved a world café with four tables facilitated by members of the TRANSLATE-HIA team. Participants engaged in the World Café in an open and committed way. This input will inform a useful and practical informational resource for getting (and keeping) going with HIA in Ireland.
To access the HIA of the Cork City Development Plan click HERE
See event photos below.
