The extractive industry in Latin America and the Caribbean: health impact assessment as an opportunity for the health authority

Objectives The extractive industries have contributed to the economic and social development of Latin America and the Caribbean for centuries. We have undertaken a narrative review to assess the role of the health authority in the decision-making process as it relates to extractive industry projects. Methods A narrative literature review was conducted with a keyword search conducted using PubMed, Scientific Electronic Library Online and Google. This was complemented with manual searches of relevant journals and reference lists of primary articles. Results A broad body of literature from Latin America and the Caribbean region provides evidence that the public health of communities engaged in extractive industry is not being assured and that significant gaps exist in aligning public and private sector efforts to improve health. Conclusions Inclusion of the health authority in impact assessment has the potential to result in lasting positive effects on communities involved directly and indirectly in the extractive industry, while preventing a large range of potential adverse health impacts.