In a Health Impact Assessment, whose findings inform the development and implementation of policies, programs, and projects?

• A. Community members
• B. Decision makers
• C. Journal editors
• D. Federal agencies

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that a Health Impact Assessment is designed to give those who have the authority to shape policy and funding—the decision makers—the information they need to decide how a policy, program, or project should move forward. The findings are framed as evidence and concrete recommendations that decision makers can use to approve, modify, or reject proposed actions and to add steps that protect or improve health. While community members provide input and expertise and journalists publish research, neither has the formal power to implement policy changes. Federal agencies can be among the decision makers, but the key point is that the findings are intended to inform the people who make and implement policy decisions.