Health Impact Assessment

The New Mexico Health Equity Partnership (NMHEP) trains residents and community groups on how to make a more compelling case with greater impact when engaging policymakers on issues they care most about. One critical tool that we provide and teach is the Health Impact Assessment (HIA). Through the HIA, advocates and residents learn how to collect and utilize data that can inform policy change, and hold decision makers accountable. The HIA is an effective means in empowering and elevating community members’ voices. HIA has produced the following results:

  • It builds leadership. Community members learn how to navigate the political system. They become more knowledgeable about decision making processes, and they become more comfortable with speaking before decision makers.
  • It commands attention from decision makers and leads to the adoption of community recommendations.
  • It fosters communication and collaboration among disparate groups that previously did not have good relationships.

NMHEP launched an Indigenous HIA toolkit which was co-created by Roanhorse Consulting, Indigenous community partners, NMHEP staff, NMHEP HIA Technical Assistance providers, and HIA teams. The intent of the Indigenous HIA toolkit is to acknowledge and uplift inherent Indigenous knowledge, strengths, and approaches; complement existing HIA processes and planning; and provide another powerful tool for Native communities to strengthen the health and wellbeing of future generations.

We invite you to check out and utilize the Indigenous HIA toolkit at the link below, as well as our other HIA resources-

What is HIA?

Toolkits

HIA Training Slides and Educational Resources

HIA Worksheets

What HIAs have been completed in New Mexico?

HIA National Partners and Additional Resources