Health

Committee:

The Washington State Board of Health, in collaboration with the Governor’s Interagency Council on Health Disparities, conducts Health Impact Reviews. A Health Impact Review is an analysis of a bill or budget proposal to determine how it would likely impact health and health equity. Because health is hugely impacted by where we live, learn, work, play, and worship - Health Impact Reviews can be requested on proposals outside of healthcare such as bills on education, incarceration, transportation, housing, early learning, access to fresh foods and safe places to walk, etc. These reviews compile the evidence to support bills that will improve equity and also highlight when a bill would increase disparities or harm equity.

By statute, a Health Impact Review can only be requested by a state legislator or the Governor. Community members can work with their legislators to request Health Impact Reviews on issues that the community cares about. More information can be found here.