Investing in health equity: A health impact assessment on the 2024 Irish Climate Action Plan

Background

Climate change is a major determinant of health. The Irish government, like many governments, is tackling climate change through strategic climate action policy planning. This research study examined the process of undertaking a health impact assessment (HIA) of the 2024 Climate Action Plan’s measure to expand the organic sector in Ireland. The HIA used the All-Island Institute of Public Health HIA guidance to navigate the policy-level assessment.

Methods

This mixed methods study was underpinned by an action research design and implementation science frameworks. It explored the process and experiences of undertaking a HIA on the 2024 Climate Action’s Plan’s measure to expand the organic sector. A total of 34 participants across a variety of institutions, sectors, and members of the affected public- Irish farmers- were involved in the assessment process.

Results

The study highlighted the appetite for HIA as a tool for facilitating inter-sectoral work to identify, mitigate, and address health inequalities in climate action planning. It was identified as a useful way to involve a diversity of experiences, including lived experience and multi-sectoral perspectives. Data derived from interviews, surveys and world cafes indicate that whilst most participants identified the value HIA could bring to their advocacy and policy work, further efforts are required to actualise the benefits of HIA as a policy decision-support tool. Barriers included a lack of time, training and access to local data.

Conclusions

Study results point to the need to practically implement HIA through (i) intersectoral training on HIA that is underpinned by a holistic understanding of the determinants of health, (ii) partnership working and involving relevant expertise on the HIA steering group is essential for meaningful stewardship in the HIA and (iii) engaging with policy makers at the end of the process to enable evidence-informed policy development is critical.

Key messages

• Health impact assessment is a tangible approach for implementing a Health in All Policies approach.

• Efforts are required to support stakeholders doing HIAs through training and ongoing support.