Public Consultation: Strategy for Health-Enhancing Physical Activity (HEPA) 2025-30

The Malta Sociological Association submitted the following feedback to this public consultation: 

The Malta Sociological Association (MSA) notes the public consultation towards a Strategy for Health-Enhancing Physical Activity (HEPA) 2025-2030. It welcomes a broader consideration of physical activity drivers and dynamics, one that goes beyond matters of urban design and physical infrastructures but takes an all-encompassing view of the social dynamics of health-enhancing physical activity. In this light, the MSA proposes the adoption of a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) that follows a comprehensive and scientific approach in conformity with the International Principles for Social Impact Assessment. 

The International Association for Impact Assessment defines SIA as being “the processes of analysing, monitoring and managing the intended and unintended social consequences, both positive and negative, of planned interventions (policies, programs, plans, projects) and any social change processes invoked by those interventions”. An SIA is an interdisciplinary process, and follows established social-scientific methods, both quantitative and qualitative. Social impact assessments should not be one-off exercises, but ongoing processes which engage with various stakeholders and which report back so as to ensure effective policy processes.

Public Consultation: Non-Communicable Diseases Prevention Framework: Policy Framework for the Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases and the Promotion of Wellbeing

The Malta Sociological Association welcomes the public consultation on the "Non-Communicable Diseases Prevention Framework: Policy Framework for the Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases and the Promotion of Wellbeing".

The MSA recommends that the framework incorporates social impact assessments in line with the International Principles for Social Impact Assessment. The International Association for Impact Assessment defines SIA as being “the processes of analysing, monitoring and managing the intended and unintended social consequences, both positive and negative, of planned interventions (policies, programs, plans, projects) and any social change processes invoked by those interventions”. 

An SIA is an interdisciplinary process, and should employ various methods, both quantitative and qualitative. Social impact assessments should not be one-off exercises, but ongoing processes which engage with various stakeholders and which report back so as to ensure effective policy processes.

EU Cancer prevention - reducing the health risks associated with using sunbeds - MSA submission

 The Malta Sociological Association has submitted its feedback to the European Commission's public consultation exercise on cancer prevention and the reduction of health risks associated with using sunbeds. 

In its submission, the MSA proposed that Social Impact Assessments (SIAs) should be incorporated and mainstream in this policy process. SIAs should not be one-off exercises. Instead, SIAs should be carried out through ongoing processes, conforming to international guidelines, such as those of the International Association for Impact Assessment. This comprises social-scientific methods with regard to consultation outreach. Public Health has a strong social dimension.