WCD Working Paper: Human Health and Dams

Decisions on infrastructure development that may be critical to people's health status are, however, made without proper consultation of health authorities and experts. When negative health impacts occur, they represent a hidden cost of the project that is transferred to the health sector without adequate provision for alleviation. There are three main requirements needed in order to protect and promote health: (i) a supportive policy, (ii) an acceptable procedure, and (iii) a usable method of assessment. None of these is sufficient in itself. Good policy supports good planning and management. The present WHO contribution to the WCD advocates that health considerations should always be included along side economic, environmental and social issues in decision making on dams. Furthermore, it provides an analytic framework for the incorporation of such considerations into dam planning, construction, operation, rehabilitation and disaster preparedness.