For many Asian developing countries, economic development is still based on heavy industry and investments in hard infrastructure that often don’t consider the long-term impacts on human health. Water contamination with industrial or agricultural waste such as heavy metals, pesticides, and antibiotics can cause hormonal diseases and even cancer. Threats may happen prior or during project implementation, and even long after project termination. However, unlike environment and resettlement, health is not a traditional safeguard in development projects. It does not get the attention it deserves to ensure that whatever is built contributes to healthier and better lives for everybody. The best way to think of health during each stage of development is through a health impact assessment (HIA). Along with sound public health management plans and effective monitoring and mitigation systems, HIA is of utmost importance... — blog.adb.org/blogs