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March 07, 2013 at 3:34 PM

In collaboration with the Lakes Region Partnership for Public Health and the NH Community Health Institute, the LRPC is currently working on a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) for the proposed new 1.5-mile portion of the WOW trail. This effort will build the collective capacity of the three organizations and expertise in this new field. The HIA process involves several steps, including screening, scoping, assessment, recommendations, reporting and monitoring along with a public participation component. LRPC and its partners will strive to educate the community about the important role a health impact assessment can have in the decision-making process. The HIA can be a tool in the future fund raising efforts for the WOW Trail. The HIA will provide evidence that links trail use to healthy communities and positive economic development.

The goals of the project are to: (a) identify elements of the Phase II plan that impact health outcomes, (b) determine the extent of any positive, or negative impact to health in completing Phase II, (c) provide recommendations to the Phase II plan to improve health outcomes, (d) educate the community on the contributions an HIA may have in the local decision making process, and (e) develop the skills and capacity to prepare future HIAs, working closely with our partners and stakeholders.

As a follow up, in February, the LRPPH in association with the LRPC applied to Health NH Foundation for funding to work with the cities of Laconia and Franklin and town of Tilton to review local polices and program in order to determine how the policies contribute to the concept of healthy communities and an active lifestyle.

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