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Inclusion of Health in Impact Assessment: A Review of Current Practice in Sub-Saharan Africa

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  • Dominik Dietler

    (Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland
    University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland)

  • Ruth Lewinski

    (Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland
    University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland
    Department of Humanities, Social- and Political Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Clausiusstrasse 37, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland)

  • Sophie Azevedo

    (Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland
    University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland
    Department of Humanities, Social- and Political Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Clausiusstrasse 37, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland)

  • Rebecca Engebretsen

    (Department of Humanities, Social- and Political Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Clausiusstrasse 37, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland)

  • Fritz Brugger

    (Department of Humanities, Social- and Political Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Clausiusstrasse 37, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland)

  • Jürg Utzinger

    (Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland
    University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland)

  • Mirko S. Winkler

    (Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland
    University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland)

Abstract

Natural resource extraction projects, including those in the mining sector, have various effects on human health and wellbeing, with communities in resource-rich areas in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) being particularly vulnerable. While impact assessments (IA) can predict and mitigate negative effects, it is unclear whether and to what extent health aspects are included in current IA practice in SSA. For collecting IA reports, we contacted 569 mining projects and 35 ministries regulating the mining sector. The reports obtained were complemented by reports identified in prior research. The examination of the final sample of 44 IA reports revealed a heavy focus on environmental health determinants and included health outcomes were often limited to a few aspects, such as HIV, malaria and injuries. The miniscule yield of reports (1.6% of contacted projects) and the low response rate by the contacted mining companies (18%) might indicate a lack of transparency in the IA process of the mining sector in SSA. To address the shortcomings identified, policies regulating IA practice should strengthen the requirements for public disclosure of IA reports and promote a more comprehensive inclusion of health in IA, be it through stand-alone health impact assessment or more rigorous integration of health in other forms of IA.

Suggested Citation

  • Dominik Dietler & Ruth Lewinski & Sophie Azevedo & Rebecca Engebretsen & Fritz Brugger & Jürg Utzinger & Mirko S. Winkler, 2020. "Inclusion of Health in Impact Assessment: A Review of Current Practice in Sub-Saharan Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-20, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:11:p:4155-:d:369831
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    References listed on IDEAS

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