Health Impact Assessment Tools
The Urban Health and Place Team develops, applies and disseminates tools, research and expertise to assess environmental conditions and respond to urban health inequities and environmental policy gaps. Specific tools are briefly described in the table below.
We use these tools and our general public health expertise to work with community stakeholders and government agencies to inform project development and policy-making and to improve the consideration of health and health inequities in decision-making. Please note that several of the tools/models listed below have preliminary products but are still being refined.
| Tool Name | Tool Description | SFDPH Staff Contact |
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The Healthy Development Measurement Tool (HDMT) is a health impact assessment tool developed by numerous stakeholders involved in San Francisco’s Eastern Neighborhoods to support more accountable, evidence-based, and health-oriented planning and policy-making. The HDMT is a comprehensive evaluation metric to consider health needs in urban development plans and projects. The HDMT to explicitly connects public health to urban development planning in efforts to achieve a higher quality social and physical environment that advances health. Available at: www.theHDMT.org |
Lili Farhang |
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| Air Quality Measurement and Modeling |
Motor vehicle air pollution is greater for those living close to busy roadways. Research shows that living close to high levels of traffic is associated with reduced lung function, increased asthma hospitalizations, asthma symptoms, bronchitis symptoms, and medical visits. SFDPH is attempting to assess the problem of traffic-related air pollution in a partnership with UC Berkeley School of Public Health. Using both modeling and monitoring to determine exposure to air pollutants at a local level, SFDPH is using the data to help planners and community groups understand potential exposures and craft solutions. SFDPH is especially interested in defining the distribution of diesel trucks and busses and their contribution to neighborhood diesel particulate exposures. |
Tom Rivard |
| The San Francisco Noise Model |
The San Francisco Noise Model is a series of tools including field measurements, evaluations and modeling which define the current noise levels in SF communities with special emphasis on understanding the effects of traffic volumes on the acoustical environment. This information will be used to assist in the implementation of State Building Code requirements associated with acoustical insulation of new residential construction. In addition, local community groups can use this information to advocate for sound walls, quieter busses, fewer trucks, and less mechanical equipment on commercial rooftops. |
Tom Rivard |
| Pedestrian Environmental Quality Index |
The Pedestrian Environmental Quality Index (PEQI) is an observational survey which quantifies street and intersection environmental factors empirically known to affect people’s travel behaviors. PEQI includes five main pedestrian categories which embody important physical environmental factors: traffic, sidewalks, land use, intersections, and safety. SFDPH is currently applying the PEQI in select areas of San Francisco’s Eastern Neighborhoods, Treasure Island, and the Excelsior, and has conducted a pilot application in Executive Park. PEQI findings could inform neighborhood planning, prioritization of improvements through the land use and transportation planning, and environmental assessments. |
Cyndy Comerford Scully |
| Vehicle-Pedestrian Injury Collision Model |
The Vehicle-Pedestrian Injury Collision Model is a practical forecasting tool to predict changes in vehicle-pedestrian injury collisions associated with changes in traffic volume, land use, and additional environmental and demographic factors impacted by development. This multivariate, census tract-level model utilizes publicly available data, and variables for which data is routinely collected, analyzed and reported in local planning processes. SFDPH first piloted a simple bivariate model in Oakland, and then developed and refined a multivariate model for use in San Francisco. This tool can be used in conjunction with safety countermeasures to plan to prevent future pedestrian deaths and injuries. A written manuscript of the model methodology is under peer-review for publication. |
Megan Wier |
| Bicycle Environmental Quality Index |
The Bicycle Environmental Quality Index (BEQI) is a quantitative observational survey to assess the bicycle environment on roadways to evaluate what streetscape improvements could be made to promote bicycling in San Francisco. The survey has 25 indicators that are empirically linked to evidence that either promote or discourage bicycle riding and connectivity to other forms of travel. The BEQI is under development and being piloted on San Francisco’s Treasure Island as part of a community transportation plan. |
Cyndy Comerford Scully (415) 252-3989 cyndy.comerford@sfdph.org |
| Retail Food Availability Survey |
The Retail Food Availability Survey is a survey which assesses the availability of healthy and affordable foods within stores, and therefore within neighborhoods, to determine community food security. This survey aims to examine the availability of certain foods, all of which are components of the US Department of Agriculture’s Thrifty Food Plan Market Basket, and other factors influencing food purchases within stores in low-income neighborhoods in San Francisco, California. This survey is being piloted in 55 stores within the designated boundaries of San Francisco’s South of Market District. |
Cyndy Comerford Scully (415) 252-3989 cyndy.comerford@sfdph.org |
| Neighborhood Completeness Indicator |
The Neighborhood Completeness Indicator is a quantitative spatial assessment tool measuring the proximity of San Francisco residents to daily goods and services in their neighborhoods. It was created as part of the Healthy Development Measurement Tool to advance the Public Infrastructure objective of assuring access to daily goods and service needs, including financial services and healthy food. Included in the indicator are 11 key public and 12 key retail services necessary to meet the daily needs of neighborhood residents and promote increased social interactions and increased walking and biking, thereby reducing daily vehicle trips and miles traveled. |
Jennifer McLaughlin (415) 252-3879 jennifer.mclaughlin@sfdph.org |
| Health Impact Assessment Mini-Course |
The Health Impact Assessment Mini-Course was held in San Francisco July 22-25, 2008. |
Lili Farhang |
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