Table 3 Characterisation of impact – staying at home and social distancing HIA

 Positive

Impacts that are considered to improve health status or provide an opportunity to do so.

 Negative

Impacts that are considered to diminish health status.

 Minimal

Of a minimum amount, quantity or degree, negligible.

 Moderate

Average in intensity, quality or degree.

 Major

Significant in intensity, quality or extent. Significant or important enough to be worthy of attention, noteworthy.

 Short term

Impact seen in 0–1 year.

 Medium term

Impact seen in 1–5 years.

 Long term

Impact seen in over 5 years.

 Possible

May or may not happen. Plausible, but with limited evidence to support.

 Probable

More likely to happen than not. Direct evidence but from limited sources.

 Confirmed

Strong direct evidence e.g. from a wide range of sources that an impact has already happened or will happen.