Farm to School and School Garden Health Impact Assessment (HIA) Report

Upstream Public Health, an Oregon non-profit health advocacy organization, recently released the Farm to School and School Garden Health Impact Assessment (HIA) report which reflects input from many community members and Farm to School advocates. The HIA examined the potential health impacts of Oregon state legislation (House Bill 2800) which would create a program reimbursing school districts for buying Oregon food and a competitive grant program that would fund food, agriculture and nutrition based activities. This HIA can be used as a model by other states hoping to gain the same win-win benefits like increasing economic growth in the agricultural sector and addressing childhood obesity by increasing children's fruit and vegetable consumption.
Full report and the executive summary:
http://www.upstreampublichealth.org/F2SHIA?utm_source=CFSC+Policy+Updates&utm_campaign=a5e350c84c-Policy_Update_6_2_2011&utm_medium=email

New Mexico Health Impact Assessment Bill (2010)

New Mexico Senator Keller will introduce a bill during the 2010 legislative session that would require the analysis of health impacts of proposed legislation on community health. Health Impact Assessments would be supported by a fund generated by an annual assessment upon health insurers. According to Senator Keller, "understanding the social determinants of health and how they impact the cost of healthcare system and fundamental livability of our communities is critical to better decision making at all levels."

You can find the bill here:
http://www.humanimpact.org/doc-lib/finish/17/89
And more about HIA Policy here:
http://www.humanimpact.org/hia-policy