Metodología de la valoración del impacto en salud de instrumentos de planeamiento urbanístico en Andalucía / Health impact assessment methodology for urban planning projects in Andalusia (Spain)

Objetivo: Se describe la herramienta desarrollada en Andalucía para llevar a cabo el análisis y la valoración prospectiva de los impactos en la salud de instrumentos de planificación urbana y el proceso seguido para su diseño. Método: Se identificaron los impactos en la salud derivados de la configuración urbana según la evidencia científica existente, y los posibles métodos para su evaluación. Una vez obtenido el proyecto de la nueva herramienta, esta se pilotó mediante distintos procesos de validación interna y externa (reuniones, talleres y entrevistas con informantes clave). Resultados: Se obtuvo una herramienta que consta de siete fases estructuradas en dos grandes etapas. La primera etapa, descriptiva, nos guía en cómo recabar la información necesaria para describir el proyecto y caracterizar a la población afectada. La segunda, de análisis, nos permite, a través de distintas fases y el uso de diversos instrumentos de ayuda, descartar o identificar los posibles impactos significativos derivados. Conclusiones: Tanto en la fase de pilotaje como durante su aplicación sistemática, dado que la entrada en vigor del Decreto 169/2014 (16 de junio de 2015) materializó la obligación de someter determinados instrumentos de planificación urbana a evaluación del impacto en la salud, la herramienta que se describe ha mostrado sensibilidad en la identificación de potenciales impactos significativos en la salud relacionados con las medidas propuestas en dichos proyectos. No obstante, se configura como una herramienta viva y con espíritu de cambio conforme la experiencia derivada de su uso lo vaya aconsejando (AU)

Objective: To describe the tool developed in Andalusia (Spain) to conduct an analysis and prospective assessment of health impacts from urban planning projects as well as the process followed to design it. Method: On the one hand, direct and indirect relationships between urban setting and health were identified in light of the best scientific evidence available; and, on the other hand, methods and tools in impact assessment were reviewed. After the design of the tool, it was tested via both internal and external validation processes (meetings, workshops and interviews with key informants). Results: The tool consists of seven phases, structured in two stages. A first descriptive stage shows how to obtain information about goals, objectives and general points pertaining the project and also to characterise the potentially affected population. The second one indicates, in several phases, how to identify and sort out potential impacts from the project using different supporting tools. Conclusions: Both in the testing phase and through its implementation since the entry into force of Andalusian Decree 169/2014 (16 June 2015) and forced all urban planning projects to be subjected to an Health Impact Assessment, this methodology has proved responsive, identifying major potential health impacts from the measures included in those projects. However, the tool has been shaped as a living tool and will be adapted in line with the experience acquired in its use (AU)

[Health impact assessment methodology for urban planning projects in Andalusia (Spain)]. / Metodología de la valoración del impacto en salud de instrumentos de planeamiento urbanístico en Andalucía.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the tool developed in Andalusia (Spain) to conduct an analysis and prospective assessment of health impacts from urban planning projects as well as the process followed to design it. METHOD: On the one hand, direct and indirect relationships between urban setting and health were identified in light of the best scientific evidence available; and, on the other hand, methods and tools in impact assessment were reviewed. After the design of the tool, it was tested via both internal and external validation processes (meetings, workshops and interviews with key informants). RESULTS: The tool consists of seven phases, structured in two stages. A first descriptive stage shows how to obtain information about goals, objectives and general points pertaining the project and also to characterise the potentially affected population. The second one indicates, in several phases, how to identify and sort out potential impacts from the project using different supporting tools. CONCLUSIONS: Both in the testing phase and through its implementation since the entry into force of Andalusian Decree 169/2014 (16 June 2015) and forced all urban planning projects to be subjected to an Health Impact Assessment, this methodology has proved responsive, identifying major potential health impacts from the measures included in those projects. However, the tool has been shaped as a living tool and will be adapted in line with the experience acquired in its use.

Institucionalización de la evaluación del impacto en la salud en Andalucía / A strategy for institutionalisation of health impact assessment in Andalusia (Spain)

La evaluación del impacto en la salud (EIS) es una herramienta que persigue incorporar la salud y el bienestar de la ciudadanía como componente vital en la formulación de políticas. Para muchos autores, si se incorporara de manera sistemática en los procesos de toma de decisión permitiría la consecución de dicho objetivo. Para ello es necesario superar una serie de dificultades, entre las que cabe destacar la obligatoriedad de su empleo, la concienciación de los distintos sectores cuyas decisiones pueden tener impactos significativos en la salud, su diseño de manera que permita un abordaje integral de los determinantes de salud y la capacitación de los profesionales responsables de su aplicación. Andalucía ha incluido en su legislación la EIS de manera preceptiva y vinculante para la aprobación de proyectos en ámbitos como el planeamiento urbanístico, actividades sometidas a instrumentos de prevención y control ambiental, y planes y programas aprobados por Consejo de Gobierno. Su implantación ha requerido integrarla en los procedimientos de autorización, la capacitación de grupos multidisciplinarios de profesionales de salud pública, la elaboración de guías metodológicas de asesoramiento y la celebración de distintas jornadas de difusión y formación específica por sectores objeto de su ámbito de aplicación (AU)

Health impact assessment (HIA) aims to incorporate people's health and wellbeing as a key feature in policy-making. Many authors believe that HIA might be systematically integrated into all decision-making processes as a way to achieve that goal. To that end, there is need to overcome a number of challenges, including the fact that Andalusia (Spain) has made HIA compulsory by law, the need for awareness of all public sectors whose decisions might have substantial impacts on health and for a methodology that would enable a comprehensive approach to health determinants and inequalities, and the training of both the public health staff and professional sectors responsible for its application. In Andalusia, a law provides mandatory and binding health impact reports for most authorisation procedures in different areas: from sectoral plans to urban planning schemes, and especially projects subject to environmental assessment. Implementation of this law has required its integration into authorisation procedures, the training of interdisciplinary working groups in public health, the preparation of technical guidelines, and the organisation of dissemination and training seminars for developers (AU)

[A strategy for institutionalisation of health impact assessment in Andalusia (Spain)]. / Institucionalización de la evaluación del impacto en la salud en Andalucía.

Health impact assessment (HIA) aims to incorporate people's health and wellbeing as a key feature in policy-making. Many authors believe that HIA might be systematically integrated into all decision-making processes as a way to achieve that goal. To that end, there is need to overcome a number of challenges, including the fact that Andalusia (Spain) has made HIA compulsory by law, the need for awareness of all public sectors whose decisions might have substantial impacts on health and for a methodology that would enable a comprehensive approach to health determinants and inequalities, and the training of both the public health staff and professional sectors responsible for its application. In Andalusia, a law provides mandatory and binding health impact reports for most authorisation procedures in different areas: from sectoral plans to urban planning schemes, and especially projects subject to environmental assessment. Implementation of this law has required its integration into authorisation procedures, the training of interdisciplinary working groups in public health, the preparation of technical guidelines, and the organisation of dissemination and training seminars for developers.