Hospitals and Community Health HIA: A Study of Localized Health Impacts of Hospitals

Abstract

The Hospitals and Community Health HIA project examines the localized impacts of a hospital, operating as a major anchor institution, on the health outcomes of residents living nearby. The study includes a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) to examine the impact of transportation, land use, urban design and future growth on the residents and neighborhoods located in the vicinity of Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. The final product of this HIA is a set of evidence-based recommendations that inform decision-makers and the general public about the health-related issues associated with the project and suggest how to enhance positive health impacts while mitigating negative health impacts. Results of this HIA will be instrumental in informing future decisions regarding land use, transportation, and urban design by both Piedmont Hospital and by the surrounding communities. This project builds on the Atlanta BeltLine Health Impact Assessment (HIA) which, was conducted with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and with technical assistance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The BeltLine HIA was completed in May 2007.