2.8 Health and Equity Impact Checklist

The checklist below can be downloaded here (Word doc, 56 KB)(opens new window)

Population Groups

Use the questions and table below to guide a conversation with workshop attendees to identify potential impacts. Note that the list is not exhaustive and other relevant information, groups and determinants can be added and discussed. It is helpful to consider each population group in turn (Q1 & Q2) and each category of health determinants as a group (Q3).

Where the checklist can support meeting the requirements of one or more mandatory impact assessment(s), for example an Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) or Fairer Scotland Duty, the relevant items in the checklist are noted. The relevant guidance for other impact assessments should always be referred to, references are provided below.

Before working through this checklist, it can be helpful to have an opening discussion about what will change as a result of the proposal.

Q1. What population groups might be affected by the proposal?

Think about the roles that people may have that are relevant to the proposal.

For example:

A healthcare proposal may affect patients, staff, visitors.
A housing development may affect people who move into new housing, people already living nearby, workers employed on the site and others.
A transport proposal may affect people using different transport modes.

Discuss this question before working systematically through the population groups list below.

Q2. How might people in the population groups below, be affected by the proposal? Will these impacts be positive, negative or uncertain?

People in these groups could be in several of the roles discussed above. Remember many people are in several of these groups which may add to their vulnerability.

Population Groups	How could these groups be affected by the proposal? Note potential positive, negative and uncertain impacts.
Populations with protected characteristics as outline in the Equality Act 2010[1] Age: older people, children and young people[2], adults of working age Sex: women and men Pregnancy and maternity: pregnancy, the period after birth and breastfeeding Disabled people: includes physical, learning disability, sensory impairment, long term medical conditions, mental health problems Sexual orientation: LGBQ+ populations Gender reassignment: trans man, trans women, people undergoing or planning to undergo gender reassignment (including wider consideration of gender identity e.g. non-binary) Marriage and civil partnership: people who are married and in civil partnerships (include wider consideration of unmarried and single people) Race: people from minority ethnic backgrounds, including Gypsy/Travellers and non-English speakers Religion or belief: people who have different religions or beliefs
People living in poverty or experiencing inequalities of outcome caused by socio-economic disadvantage as outlined in the Fairer Scotland Duty:[3] Low/no wealth Low income Area deprivation Socio-economic background Material deprivation
Other population groups Refugees, asylum seekers and people who are displaced People experiencing homelessness People experiencing social isolation and loneliness Veterans People involved in the criminal justice system and their families People who have been the victims of crime People who have experienced trauma, including adverse childhood experiences Care experienced children and adults Carers, including lone parents, young carers and elderly carers Students People with low literacy/numeracy, lower skills and/or attainment Workers Staff (who will implement the policy or plan) People in remote, rural and/or island locations[4] People living in urban areas Others - please add

Health Determinants

Q3. What positive, negative or uncertain impacts do you think there may be on the following health determinants? Which population groups will be affected by these impacts? Consider each of the sections below.

These are prompts for discussion - they will not all be relevant for every proposal.

Health determinants	How could these health determinants be affected by the proposal? Note potential positive, negative and uncertain impacts.
Economic environment Access to/levels of employment (paid or unpaid), unemployment and economic inactivity Quality of employment and working conditions - including health and safety, job control, job strain, employee voice, opportunity, security, fulfilment and respect Income and wealth inequality Wealth circulation and community benefits Income security and debt Cost of living Ownership of assets Commercial practices
Social environment[5] Social status Stigma Culture, community connectedness and cohesion Stress, uncertainty, resilience and community assets Family and social relationships support Participation and social interaction Influence and sense of control Inclusion, identity and belonging Sense of purpose Public safety, crime and fear of crime
The Public Sector Equality Duty[6] Discrimination, harassment and victimisation Advancing equality of opportunity between groups Promoting good relations between different groups
Place and the physical environment Housing provision, mix, living conditions, security of tenure Local amenities - retail, community venues Public spaces quality and maintenance - litter, fly tipping, dog fouling Natural space and biodiversity Environmental pollution - quality of air, water, soil, light, noise and odours Energy, resource use and waste Greenhouse gas emissions Climate resilience and adaptation - flood protection, coastal erosion, extreme weather Unintentional injuries Transmission of infectious diseases
Access to and quality of services Health and social care services Housing and homelessness services Transport and connections - active transport and affordable, accessible public transport Education provision - learning, training, skills acquisition, digital literacy Community venues, culture, leisure and play provision Digital connectivity - access to IT, internet and digital services Environmental and regulatory standards and services Other service provision - legal, refuse
Commercial and environmental influences on physical and mental health Food and nutrition Exercise and physical activity Substance use - tobacco (smoking/vaping), alcohol, drugs Gambling Sexual health Social media use Sleep

The checklist above can also be downloaded here.

Downloadable Resources

References

[1] It is against the law to discriminate against someone because of a protected characteristic. For further information on the Equality Act, protected characteristics and discrimination see the Equality and Human Rights Commission https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/equality/equality-act-2010/protected-characteristics

[2] Children's Rights & Wellbeing Impact Assessments provide a mechanism to ensure compliance with United Nations Convention on Rights of the Child (UNCRC) requirements

Supporting documents - Children's Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment guidance - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

[3] For further information on the Fairer Scotland Duty please go see the Scottish Government Fairer Scotland Duty Guidance for Public Bodies https://www.gov.scot/publications/fairer-scotland-duty-guidance-public-bOodies/

[4] Relevant authorities as identified in the Islands (Scotland) Act are required to carry out an Island Communities Impact Assessment when preparing policies, strategies and services. For further information see https://www.gov.scot/publications/island-communities-impact-assessments-guidance-toolkit-2/

[5] The social environment section includes protective and risk factors for mental health and wellbeing. You can also consider this more in-depth using the Mental Wellbeing Impact Assessment Toolkit. More information is available at https://phwwhocc.co.uk/whiasu/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/05/Mental_Wellbeing_Impact_Assessment_Toolkit_-_full_version.pdf

[6] https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/equality/equality-act-2010/protected-characteristics

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2.8 Health and Equity Impact Checklist

Population Groups

Health Determinants

Downloadable Resources

References