Making Health in All Policies a reality

Unequal distribution of the wider determinants of health across the social gradient creates
and exacerbates health inequalities. Many of these factors are outside the direct control of the
Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). Embedding a national government approach for
health improvement is challenging.
A Health in All Policies (HiAP) approach describes how health and health equity can be
improved through embedding consideration of health in cross-government decision making.
Health Impact Assessments (HIAs) are a mechanism for delivering a HiAP approach across
national and local governments, creating the conditions for healthy lives. Despite advocacy
from health-experts and progressive international examples, HIA activity in England is currently
sporadic. Stronger leadership and dedicated resources are required to embed HIAs in national
government and optimise their utility.