Health impact assessment (HIA) is a process used to inform decision-makers about the potential health impacts of proposed projects, plans, programs, and policies that do not traditionally focus on health outcomes (e.g. transportation, education, housing), but are likely to affect the public’s health.
The UW HIA Course
Led by Dr. Andy Dannenberg and course collaborators, the UW HIA course (ENVH/URBAN 365 A) has engaged students in Public Health, Urban Planning, and related fields in conducting HIAs that evaluate the links between community design and public health and applying evidence to inform decision-making and the promotion of health equity for new policies and plans. In the course, students consider the rationale for conducting HIAs, learn the steps to conduct an HIA, review national and international case studies, explore how HIA findings may impact decision-making and improve health equity, and discuss the use of Health in All Policies as an approach to decision-making. As a major component of the course, students conduct a detailed HIA of the health and equity aspects of a currently proposed local project or plan. In 2025, Dr. Edmund Seto joined as a co-instructor for the HIA class.
Previous HIA Reports
Links to previous HIA class reports are provided below:
2024: Capital Hill/First Hill Subarea plan HIA for Seattle Office of Planning and Community Development
2023: Camp Kilworth Redevelopment HIA report for Forterra and YMCA of Greater Seattle
2022: Empire Parcels Park HIA for King County Parks
2021: Glendale Forest Park project for King County Parks
2020: Seattle Interbay redevelopment project
2019: BelRed Neighborhood Subarea Plan
2018: Rainier RapidRide for Seattle Department of Transportation
2017: Georgetown Mobility Plan for Seattle Department of Transportation
2016: Anacortes South Commercial Avenue Corridor Plan
2015: Delridge Corridor Transportation Plan for Seattle Department of Transportation
2014: Pioneer Square Plan
2013: Tacoma South Downtown Subarea Plan
2012: Duwamish River Superfund Cleanup
More Information
For more information regarding the HIA course, contact:
Andrew L. Dannenberg, MD, MPH adannen@uw.edu
Edmund Seto, MS, PhD eseto@uw.edu
Concurrent MPH and MUP Degree Program
UW offers and concurrent Masters of Public Health and Masters of Urban Planning degree program. To learn more about this opportunity, visit: Concurrent MPH and MUP Degree Program
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