Current Projects
- HIA of the Emergency Intervention in the Northern Territory
- Evaluating the Impact and Effectiveness of Equity Focused HIA
- HIA in Greater Southern Area Health Service
- HNEAHS Health Equity Framework
- Implementation of Healthy Planning Principles in Two Local Councils
- HIA Support: Queensland Tropical Population Health Unit
HIA of the Emergency Intervention in the Northern Territory
Project Coordinator
Elizabeth Harris
Investigators
Elizabeth Harris, Tamara Mackean, Mark Harris, Marlene Kong, Alex Brown, Ngaire Brown, Helen Milroy, Ben Harris-Roxas, Terry Dunbar,
Other Team Members
Marilyn Wise, Jane Lloyd, Lynn Kemp
Partners
Australian Indigenous Doctors' Association
Background
The Centre for Health Equity Training, Research and Evaluation (CHETRE) was approached by the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association (AIDA) to undertake a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) of the Australian Government’s National Emergency Response to Protect Aboriginal Children in the Northern Territory.
Aims
In collaboration with AIDA and several communities affected by the Australian Government Intervention we will undertake a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) of the implementation of the Australian Government’s National Emergency Response to Protect Aboriginal Children in the Northern Territory .
Design and Method
Undertaking an HIA in partnership with AIDA and several communities who are directly impacted by the intervention.
Evaluating the Impact and Effectiveness of Equity Focused HIA
Project Coordinator
Ben Harris-Roxas
Investigators
Ben Harris-Roxas, Pat Bazeley, Lynn Kemp
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council Postgraduate Research Scholarship
Background
Equity focused HIA, or health equity impact assessment, is being increasingly promoted internationally as a mechanism to reduce and redress health inequities. Despite this little is know about the conditions under which it is most effective in influencing decision-making and the implementation of projects, plans or policies.
Aims
To answer:
- What are the direct and indirect impacts of EFHIAs conducted on health service plans?
- Does EFHIA improve the consideration of equity in planning and implementation compared to usual practices within the health sector?
- How does EFHIA improve the consideration of equity in proposal development and implementation within the health sector?
Design and Method
- Retrospective case study of 3 completed EFHIAs
- Prospective multiple case study of 3 health plans and subsequent EFHIAs
HIA and Health Equity in Greater Southern Area Health Service
Project Coordinator
Marilyn Wise
Investigators
Marilyn Wise, Patrick Harris, Ben Harris-Roxas, Andrew Gow, Tony Kolbe, Maggie Jamieson, Jane Lloyd
Partners
Greater Southern Area Health Service
Background
The Centre for Health Equity Training, Research and Evaluation (CHETRE) is working with Greater Southern Area Health Service to enhance the organisation's capacity to undertake HIAs and to address health inequities.
Aims
To investigate the use of health impact assessment and health equity filters in Greater Southern Area Health Service
Design and Method
CHETRE will support and undertake HIAs in Greater Southern Area Health Service, as well as developing and trialling an equity filter to assist internal planning and decision-making.
HNEAHS Health Equity Framework
Project Coordinator
Marilyn Wise
Investigators
Marilyn Wise, Elizabeth Harris, Ben Harris-Roxas, Patrick Harris, Jane Lloyd
Partners
Hunter New England Area Health Service
Background
The development of a Framework to address health inequity has been identified as a priority for both NSW Health and Hunter New England Area Health Service (HNEAHS). An equity approach is also explicitly recognised in several strategic NSW Health and HNEAHS documents.
Since 2007 the HNEAHS Equity Framework Core Planning Group Core has led work on the development of an Equity Framework, with a substantial amount of work already completed. The UNSW Centre for Health Equity Training, Research and Evaluation’s (CHETRE) has been contracted to assist with developing and finlaising the Equity Framework.
Aims
- To finalise the Health Equity Framework for HNEAHS
• To identify appropriate tools and approaches that support the Equity Framework
Design and Method
The draft Equity Framework includes well-developed background information and has gone through extensive development and revisions. As such this project is focused on finalising the Health Equity Framework, as well as identifying supporting tools/approaches and undertaking targeted consultations.
Implementation of Healthy Planning Principles in Two Local Councils in New South Wales
Project Coordinator
Patrick Harris
Investigators
Patrick Harris, Marilyn Wise, Ben Harris-Roxas, John Kurko
Partners
Background
This study examines the implementation of healthy planning principles in two local governments in New South Wales. The study will look at how each Council has incorporated healthy planning principles within their contemporary planning practices in relation to a single policy that each council has implemented.
Aims
- To investigate the implementation of healthy planning principles in two local governments in NSW
- To investigate the use of Healthy by Design as a mechanism to promote the use of healthy planning principles
Design and Method
The Healthy by Design guidance will be used by two local governments in NSW. Data on the implementation of the healthy design principles will be collected through document review and semi-structured interviews.
Health Impact Assessment Support: Queensland Tropical Population Health Unit
Project Coordinator
Patrick Harris
Investigators
Patrick Harris, Marilyn Wise, Ben Harris-Roxas
Funder
Queensland Health Tropical Population Health Services
Background
Our work with Queensland Health’s Tropical Population Health Services has been to build the service’s capacity to undertake health impact assessment. In 2008 we provided three day HIA training to facilitate the unit to ‘learn by doing HIA’s. We subsequently have provided help desk support for the conduct of two HIAs in 2008/9; a rapid HIA on the re-development of Townsville’s urban centre, and an intermediate HIA on the Mackay regional development plan. We will be providing further help desk support and training for HIA work in 2009/10. The unit recently received the CPHCE HIA award for their ongoing capacity building work.
Completed Projects
Further Information
For more information on our research please contact info@hiaconnect.edu.au.
