HIA methodology to support Regional Health Authorities in urban planning.

Since 2007 the Emilia-Romagna Region has been implementing the MONITER Project aimed at defining an environment epidemiological surveillance and evaluation system in the areas where municipal incinerators are located. In this context, the Emilia-Romagna Region launched a Project Line to promote the adoption of Health Impact Assessment (HIA) as a tool to include the evaluation of environmental health issues during the planning process. Experience and knowledge gained on HIA resulted in an enrichment of local cultural, political and administrative context. This process has been proposed to public bodies so that they can include HIA in urban planning, including a specific focus on stakeholder involvement. (literal)