HIA Case Studies

HIA Case Studies

The Harris County Built Environment (HCPH BE) Unit conducts Health Impact Assessments (HIAs) and Health Impact Reviews (HIRs) to examine and lessen health risk through policy, planning, and development decisions in the Houston-Harris County region. For completed HIAs, see below. 



Would you like to promote health in your community? You can partner with the Harris County Public Health BE Unit. Our team can provide technical expertise and guidance on initiating HIAs or rapid health review processes.

Please contact us for more information: [email protected]

East Aldine Districts’ Town Center Development
This HIA was performed on the development and design of the East Aldine Management District’s proposed town center. It focused on how the town center will affect mobility and connectivity in the area.

Full Report 
Supporting Documents

Healthy Planning in Pasadena, Texas
In partnership with the City of Pasadena Planning Department, HCPH conducted a HIA on proposed updates to city residential ordinances. It focused on how changes in city ordinances and community design could impact the health of the community.

Full Report 
Supporting Documents

Other Completed HIAs
Additional completed HIAs can be found at The PEW Charitable Trusts and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Health Impact Project and The University of California, Los Angeles Health Impact Assessment Clearinghouse Learning and Information Center. Selected HIAs completed in the Texas Gulf Coast region or conducted on built environment projects are listed below.

HIA/Locations
Description
Key Full Report
Atlanta Beltline/Atlanta, GA
Addressed the impacts that the Atlanta Beltline Project (a major parks, trails, transit, urban-redevelopment initiative) could have on physical activity, environmental quality, and access to healthy foods.
http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/multimedia/data-visualizations/2015/hia-map/state/georgia/atlanta-beltline
PlanOKC HIA/Oklahoma City, OK
Identified opportunities to improve health in the city’s comprehensive plan, “PlanOKC”.
http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/multimedia/data-visualizations/2015/hia-map/state/oklahoma/planokc-hia
Texas Water and Sanitation HIA/Vinton, TX
Drew attention to the health impacts of poor water quality for proposed water and sanitation improvement projects.
http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/multimedia/data-visualizations/2015/hia-map/state/texas/texas-water-and-sanitation-health-impact-assessment
Replacing Public Housing Units Destroyed by Hurricane Ike/Galveston, TX
Brought together community stakeholders to discuss how rebuilding public housing may impact community health.
http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/multimedia/data-visualizations/2015/hia-map/state/texas/replacing-public-housing-units-destroyed-by-hurricane-ike
Mid-South Regional Greenprint HIA/Memphis, Tennessee
Investigated the health impacts of the Greenprint plan to connect communities throughout the greater Memphis area including a rapid HIA of the Frayser Town Center.
http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/multimedia/data-visualizations/2015/hia-map/state/tennessee/mid-south-regional-greenprint-hia
Hamilton Springs Transit Oriented Development HIA/ Nashville, TN
Evaluated factors surrounding the inclusion of a school in middle Tennessee’s first transit-oriented development for potential health impacts on children, residents, and workers.
http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/multimedia/data-visualizations/2015/hia-map/state/tennessee/hamilton-springs-transit-oriented-development-hia
Atlanta Regional Plan 2040/Atlanta, GA
Examined how Atlanta’s comprehensive transportation and growth plan may impact health issues such as injury and asthma rates and risks of obesity and diabetes.
http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/multimedia/data-visualizations/2015/hia-map/state/georgia/atlanta-plan-2040