Using a health impact assessment to evaluate the potential impact of a major transportation land use project in Atlanta

The origins of land use planning and public health are rooted in the goals of protecting the public from outbreaks of disease and improving the quality of life for all. In the last several years, a renewed understanding of the goals and interest shared by the two professions has emerged, as compelling research suggest correlations between land use, community design, and transportation decisions, and public health. Given these connections, it becomes critical to assess, prevent, or mitigate health risks associated with proposed development projects or planning/zoning policies. This project will conduct a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) on the proposed Atlanta Beltline. The Beltline project included a transit corridor, a multi-use trail, and the expansion of Atlantas park system. The Beltline HIA will be the first HIA in the United States to evaluate a major transportation/land use project that has the potential for long-term, widespread redevelopment impact. This project is part of a follow up to the HIA expert meeting the Foundation supported in the Fall of 2004. In order to make HIA a more widely practiced decision tool in the United States, meeting participants recommended that more U.S. pilot projects be conducted and training and technical assistance for local public health officials be developed. This project responds directly to the suggested recommendations. The deliverables for this project consist of a comprehensive health impact assessment report. This report will also be translated into an executive summary for policy makers and it will be made into a manuscript to be published in peer reviewed journals.

Grant Details

Amount Awarded $74,860.00

Awarded on: 8/24/2005

Time frame: 9/1/2005 - 2/28/2007

Grant Number: 53546