Health impact assessment, a tool to promote healthy climate policies

Introduction: Potential impacts of climate change on health are increasingly studied due to the diversity of the associated risks (heatwaves, air pollution, water- and vector-borne diseases). Consequently, adaptation and mitigation strategies, including tools, have been developed by different cities, states, and organizations to assess the effects of climate change on health. Objective: Health impact assessment (HIA) is a tool that could be used to assess the potential health impacts of climate change policies before their implementation. The objective of this study is therefore to analyze the way MA is used in the development of these policies. Method: A scoping review of grey and scientific literature in French and English (period: 1990-2019) allowed us to identify 35 articles and reports, with 6 using HIA specifically. The areas of HIA application related to transport, urban planning or the building sector. The main health issues addressed in these HIAs concerned air, noise, physical activity, urban heat islands, green spaces, and functional diversity. Results: These studies have shown that HIA is an approach that can facilitate cross-sectoral collaboration, and its flexibility allows for its application to adaptation and mitigation policies, as well as at several spatial scales (cities, regions). Discussion: The principal limitation in this approach relates to uncertainties associated with quantifying projected impacts.