Health Impact Assessment is a means of assessing health impacts of policies, plans, and projects in diverse economic sectors using quantitative, qualitative, and participatory techniques.

• A. A method of evaluating patient outcomes in a clinic
• B. A means of assessing the health impacts of policies, plans, and projects in diverse economic sectors using quantitative, qualitative, and participatory techniques
• C. A financial audit of health agencies
• D. A survey of healthcare provider satisfaction

Answer: (B)

Health Impact Assessment is a process that examines how policies, plans, or projects across different sectors may affect the health of populations, using a mix of quantitative data, qualitative insights, and input from stakeholders. This broader, policy- and population-focused approach, often involving participatory methods with diverse groups, is what sets HIA apart from clinical or organizational assessments. The option describing HIA in this way correctly captures its purpose and scope. In contrast, evaluating patient outcomes in a clinic focuses on individual clinical effectiveness, a financial audit of health agencies concerns budgeting and finances, and a survey of provider satisfaction looks at healthcare workers’ perspectives—none of which address assessing health impacts of policies across sectors.