The Wales Health Impact Assessment Support Unit (WHIASU) is based in the World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre on ‘Investment for Health and Well-being’, Policy and International Health Directorate, Public Health Wales.
This site provides information on the Wales HIA Support Unit, Health Impact Assessment (HIA) and the process as practiced in Wales, news and recent developments. It provides a resource to those currently practicing HIA, policy makers and those who are new to the process and who are looking for information and evidence. There are links to completed HIAs in Wales and other HIA activities from the Unit, for example training and information plus links to useful resources and guides.
Latest News
Assessing public health implications of free trade agreements: The comprehensive and progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement
In 2016, the United Kingdom voted to exit the European Union, which was surrounded by political and social uncertainty. The United Kingdom now negotiates its own trade agreements, and in March 2023, it agreed to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (CPTPP). A health impact assessment (HIA) was undertaken in 2022–23 to predict […]
Determining the Public Health Impact of Climate Change: A National Study Using a Health Impact Assessment Approach in Wales
Climate change is recognised as the biggest threat to global health of the 21st century and impacts on health and wellbeing through a range of factors. Due to this, the need to take action in order to protect population health and wellbeing is becoming ever more urgent. In 2019, Public Health Wales carried out a […]
Health Impact Assessment (HIA): Frequently Asked Questions
WHIASU have created this document which looks to answer your Health Impact Assessment (HIA) questions, including looking at the benefits, what it involves and when to carry out a HIA, alongside other questions. Alongside our other resources, it can help to further your understanding of HIA. The resource can be accessed HERE. If you have […]
Health Impact Assessment (HIA) statutory regulations for Wales consultation documents published
The HIA statutory regulations for Wales consultation documents were published on 29th December by Welsh Government. The consultation is open until 29th March 2024. The consultation documents and guidance on how to respond can be found here: Health impact assessment regulations | GOV.WALES
How WHIASU are preparing for the introduction of the Health Impact Assessment (HIA) Regulations
The Wales Health Impact Assessment Support Unit (WHIASU) are currently very busy preparing for the introduction of the Welsh Government HIA statutory regulations, which follow on from the Public Health (Wales) Act 2017. In that it states that, “The Act places a duty on the Welsh Ministers to make regulations which require public bodies to […]
New Report: The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Women, Employment and Health Inequalities
The infographic summarises the findings, looking at the Population Groups and Determinants of Health impacted, along with the key statistics, mitigating actions and potential areas of future research. The Explanatory Note goes into further detail on the above, giving a breakdown of the evidence that informed our positive and negative findings on women, employment and […]