723 
periences culminate in worse adult health as 
compared with children with higher socio-
economic status. Specifically, children living in 
socioeconomic neighborhoods have higher rates 
of asthma due to higher rates of psychological 
stress resulting from higher rates of violence. 
(K) Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, 
queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) individuals 
face health disparities linked to societal stigma, 
discrimination, and denial of their civil and 
human rights. Discrimination against LGBTQ 
individuals has been associated with high rates 
of psychiatric disorders, substance abuse, and 
suicide. Experiences of violence and victimiza-
tion are frequent for LGBTQ individuals, and 
have long-lasting effects on the individual and 
the community. Personal, family, and social ac-
ceptance of sexual orientation and gender iden-
tity affects the mental health and personal safe-
ty of LGBTQ individuals. 
(4) Laws and regulations that improve opportu-
nities to live in safe neighborhoods, with more social 
cohesion, attain higher education, sustain stable em-
ployment, and bridge class differences help foster 
the health and safety of individuals. 
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(5) The global public health community has 
reached consensus through the Rio Political Declara-
tion of Social Determinants of Health that 
‘‘[c]ollaboration in coordinated and intersectoral pol-
icy actions has proven to be effective. Health in All 
Policies, together with intersectoral cooperation and 
action, is one promising approach to enhance ac-
countability in other sectors of health, as well as the 
promotion of health equity and more inclusive and 
productive societies.’’ 
SEC. 1003. HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENTS. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress makes the following find-
ings: 
(1) Health Impact Assessment is a tool to help 
planners, health officials, decisionmakers, and the 
public make more informed decisions about the po-
tential health effects of proposed plans, policies, pro-
grams, and projects in order to maximize health 
benefits and minimize harms. 
(2) Health Impact Assessments can be done at 
a fraction of the cost and time typically required for 
other planning and permitting reviews. 
(3) Health Impact Assessments can build com-
munity support and reduce opposition to a project or 
policy, thereby facilitating economic growth by aid-
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ing the development of consensus regarding new de-
velopment proposals. 
(4) Health Impact Assessments facilitate col-
laboration across sectors. 
(b) PURPOSES.—It is the purpose of this section to— 
(1) provide more information about the poten-
tial human health effects of policy decisions and the 
distribution of those effects; 
(2) improve how health is considered in plan-
ning and decisionmaking processes; and 
(3) 
build 
stronger, 
healthier 
communities 
through the use of Health Impact Assessment. 
(c) HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENTS.—Part P of title 
III of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280g et 
seq.), as amended, is further amended by adding at the 
end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 399V–9. HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENTS. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section and section 
399V–10: 
‘‘(1) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘Adminis-
trator’ means the Administrator of the Environ-
mental Protection Agency. 
‘‘(2) BUILT
ENVIRONMENT.—The term ‘built 
environment’ means the components of the environ-
ment, and the location of these components in a geo-
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graphically defined space, that are created or modi-
fied by individuals to form the physical and social 
characteristics of a community or enhance quality of 
human life, including— 
‘‘(A) homes, schools, and places of work 
and worship; 
‘‘(B) parks, recreation areas, and green-
ways; 
‘‘(C) transportation systems; 
‘‘(D) business, industry, and agriculture; 
and 
‘‘(E) land-use plans, projects, and policies 
that impact the physical or social characteris-
tics of a community, including access to services 
and amenities. 
‘‘(3) DIRECTOR.—The term ‘Director’ means 
the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention. 
‘‘(4) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘eligible en-
tity’ means a unit of State or tribal government the 
jurisdiction of which includes individuals or popu-
lations the health of which are, or will be, affected 
by an activity or a proposed activity. 
‘‘(5) ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION.—The term ‘eligi-
ble institution’ means a public agency or private 
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nonprofit institution that submits to the Secretary, 
in consultation with the Administrator, an applica-
tion for a grant authorized under such section at 
such time, in such manner, and containing such 
agreements, assurances, and information as the Sec-
retary and Administrator may require. 
‘‘(6) HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENT.—The term 
‘Health Impact Assessment’ means a systematic 
process that uses an array of data sources and ana-
lytic methods and considers input from stakeholders 
to determine the potential effects of a proposed pol-
icy, plan, program, or project on the health of a pop-
ulation and the distribution of those effects within 
the population. Such term includes identifying and 
recommending appropriate actions on monitoring 
and maximizing potential benefits and minimizing 
the potential harms. 
‘‘(7) HEALTH DISPARITIES.—The term ‘health 
disparities’ are a particular type of health dif-
ferences that are closely linked with social, economic, 
and/or environmental disadvantage. Health dispari-
ties adversely affect groups of people who have sys-
tematically experienced greater obstacles to health 
based on their racial or ethnic group; religion; socio-
economic status; gender; age; mental health; cog-
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