Business Case for Health
Communities and governments are beginning to recognize that the health impacts of industrial activity and community development go far beyond the issue of toxic emissions.
Why should business care?
Here are six compelling reasons why business needs to change the way it looks at health.
1. The regulatory environment is changing.
The Equator Principles, brought in by the world’s major lending institutions in 2006, specify that a Health Impact Assessment must be performed for all financed projects in non-OECD countries. The European Union has established HIA into the regulatory framework through both the Strategic Environmental Assessment Protocol and the Amsterdam Treaty. In the US, “Healthy Places” legislation introduced both in California and nationally will require HIA in land-use planning.
2. Industry standards are changing.
In a variety of industries, companies are beginning to choose to include Health Impact Assessment as part of an integrated impact assessment process. Some multinational firms now have HIA as an internal requirement regardless of the local regulatory environment.
3. Communities expect and deserve it.
Ordinary people now think of the impacts to their health from your project. Roads, employment, housing, and strain on community resources, among other effects, are increasingly in the minds of communities when they consider the impact of existing and proposed development.
4. Health is an economic asset.
Strong business requires a healthy community. Knowing the long-term health impacts of your activity on your community will help ensure not only a healthy relationship but a healthy workforce for the future.
5. It makes financial sense.
Understanding and acting on health in the planning phase will prevent costly mistakes down the line.
6. Good business demands it.
Do you want to be seen as an upstanding business player? People recognize that health and development are inextricably linked. The goal of Health Impact Assessment is not simply to mitigate the harm of industrial activity, but also to accentuate the benefits that may come with economic and community development.