Program on Health, Equity and Sustainability

PHES In the News:

Noise Program Featured in San Francisco Chronicle October 2008

The work of SFDPH's Noise Program is featured in an article in the San Francisco Chronicle. The article describes the report by U.C. Berkeley and SFDPH researchers, which showed that approximately 17% of San Francisco's population is at risk of high annoyance from traffic noise. For more information, also see the Noise and Sirens presentation.

Peer Review Session for Healthy Planning Research and Tools October 23, 2008

"Qualitative Data Collection and Community Participation in Health Impact Assessment: a Community Survey in Los Angeles" will be the focus of our next Peer Review Session for Healthy Planning Research and Tools, with research presented by Human Impact Partners. This session will be held Thursday, October 23rd @ 10–11:30am at the San Francisco Department of Public Health, 1390 Market Street, 9th Floor. Please contact megan.wier@sfdph.org for more information or to be added to the email list.

Health, Traffic, and Environmental Justice: a Health Impact Assessment of the Still/Lyell Freeway Channel in the Excelsior District August 2008

A summary and details of our collaborative health impact assessment of traffic in the Excelsior are now available.

Paid Sick Days Health Impact Assessment August 2008

Human Impact Partners and PHES researchers at the San Francisco Department of Public Health jointly released a health impact assessment of proposed legislation that would guarantee all workers in the state at least one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked. The legislation, the Healthy Families, Healthy Workplaces Act of 2008 (AB 2716), has passed in the State Assembly and is currently being considered by the State Senate. The report, A Health Impact Assessment of the California Healthy Families, Healthy Workplaces Act of 2008 finds that substantial evidence indicates that the law would have significant positive public health impacts for workers and for all Californians.

Restaurant Health and Safety Checklist. July 2008

PHES staff created a new Restaurant Health and Safety Checklist that is available on our Publications page.

PHES 2007 Annual Report. June 2008

The 2007 Annual Report of the Program on Health, Equity and Sustainability is now available from the PHES Publications Page.

Air Quality Land Use Conflict Report Available May 2008

A new report Assessment and Mitigation of Air Pollutant Health Effects from Intra-urban Roadways: Guidance for Land Use Planning and Environmental Review is available on the Publications Page.

ENCHIA/HDMT Paper Published May/June 2008

PHES staff authored a new manuscript "Creating Tools for Healthy Development: Case Study of San Francisco's Eastern Neighborhoods Community Health Impact Assessment" in the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice. The manuscript describes the 18-month ENCHIA process, key outcomes, and lessons learned. It also provides an overview of the Healthy Development Measurement Tool and examples of its first applications to urban planning.

Environmental Impact Assessment Paper Published April 2008

Dr. Rajiv Bhatia is co-author of a new manuscript "Integrating Human Health into Environmental Impact Assessment: An Unrealized Opportunity for Environmental Health and Justice" in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives. The manuscript presents several case studies, and recommends greater collaboration along with guidance, resources, and training for integrated Health Impact Assessment and Environmental Impact Assessment practice.