Environmental impact assessment (EIA) has been increasingly used as an aid to planning and decision-making throughout the Caribbean region. The health component of such assessments however is very weak; hence the potential health effects to projects are rarely analysed.

While the countries of the region are beginning to recognize the value of utilizing environmental health impact assessment (EHIA) as a tool in planning sustainable development, the limited capability in most countries (both to prepare and review/analyse EHIAs) remains a serious constraint.

CEHI has been engaged in developing capacity in this area and in 2000 held a workshop designed to (a) integrate environmental health considerations into the mainstream of decision-making and planning mechanisms of Caribbean governments; and (b) train a cadre of health and planning officers to the level necessary to perform basic EHIAs. Click here to read a copy of the workshop report. 

Follow-up activities are in train in collaboration with other regional and international agencies.