Health impact assessment in Scotland

In 2002, HIA in Scotland was described as 'still on the runway'. This chapter describes how since then it has slowly taken off but also describes why there have been problems developing HIA activity. The Scottish HIA Network has existed since 2001 and has produced guidance and training with minimal budget. Different approaches to HIA are used in different parts of the country. There have been some successful, high-profile HIAs and there is now a wider pool of HIA expertise. But it is still not public health 'core business'. Competing priorities, requirements for other mandatory impact assessments, and a lack of political support, have limited its use. HIA is not an end in itself, it is a way to influence and improve policy to achieve better health outcomes. Integrating health into other assessments may prove a more successful approach.