There are multiple forms of HIA being practiced internationally.
Debates have previously focused on the strengths and weaknesses of
different approaches. This paper shows that these different forms
serve different purposes and are not necessarily in competition; no
single form of HIA should necessarily have primacy over others.
Rather they allow HIA as a field to be responsive to a range of
population health concerns and purposes. As expectations grow there
is a risk that HIA may be seen to be promising more than it can deliver,
especially in the estimation and quantification of health risks, the
quality and qualifications of those undertaking the HIA and in the
valuing of evidence from multiple sources.