HOUSE MEMORIAL 109

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2016

INTRODUCED BY

Javier Martínez

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO STUDY AND ASSESS THE FEASIBILITY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF USING HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENTS FOR POLICYMAKING THROUGHOUT NEW MEXICO.

     WHEREAS, policies have the potential to affect important health outcomes in communities; and

     WHEREAS, using scientific data, health expertise and public input, health impact assessments can provide valuable insight into how a policy, program or practice will affect the health or the health equity of communities; and

     WHEREAS, without the use of health impact assessments, unintended health outcomes of particular policies and programs are not clearly identified and can be left unaddressed; and     WHEREAS, from such an assessment, informed decisions can be made about how to build and strengthen policies, programs or practices; and

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico health equity working group and the Bernalillo county place matters team, along with many other organizations, academics, professionals and national experts, have the capacity and will to examine and assess the scope of potential implementation of health impact assessments in New Mexico;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative council be requested to convene a task force inclusive of representatives of the New Mexico health equity working group, the Bernalillo county place matters team and other organizations, academics, professionals and national experts to analyze how health impact assessments have been used successfully in other states and to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of implementing health impact assessments for policymaking in New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force report its findings to the appropriate interim committee no later than November 2016; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the New Mexico legislative council.

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