Dr. Catherine Ross, director of the Center for Quality Growth and Regional Development and professor of City and Regional Planning, Dr. Nisha Botchwey, associate professor of City and Regional Planning, and Maria Orenstein of Habitat Health Impact Consulting, have co-authored a new book entitled “Health Impact Assessment in the United States.”  The book focuses on Health Impact Assessment (HIA) as a tool for policy in the US, and brings together the theory, evidence, and training resources for incorporating health into routine public practices.

“Health Impact Assessment in the United States” analyzes the goals, tools, and methods of HIA, and the competencies that are central to establishing best practices. It sets out the core principles that differentiate HIA from environmental and similar assessments, fleshing them out with case examples from the U.S. and abroad. Details of each step of the HIA process take follow-through into account, giving readers insights into not only collecting and evaluating data, but also communicating findings effectively to decision-makers and stakeholders.

The HIA has an increasingly vital place in the future of health-related policy, making “Health Impact Assessment in the United States” a valued manual and critical ideabook for students and practitioners in public health, public policy, urban planning, and community planning.