Vulnerability index: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Measure of the exposure of a population to some hazard}}

A '''vulnerability index''' is a measure of the exposure of a population to some hazard. Typically, the index is a composite of multiple quantitative indicators that via some formula, delivers a single numerical result. Through such an index "diverse issues can be combined into a standardised framework...making comparisons possible".<ref name=app6>{{Cite web |url=http://www.geog.ox.ac.uk/news/events/ccamts/appendix06.pdf |title=The Climate Vulnerability Index:relevance to the Tourism Sector |access-date=2011-06-23 |archive-date=2012-03-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316102207/http://www.geog.ox.ac.uk/news/events/ccamts/appendix06.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> For instance, indicators from the [[physical sciences]] can be combined with social, medical and even psychological variables to evaluate potential complications for [[disaster planning]].

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== Basic methodology ==

[[File:Social Vulnerability Index variables grouped into four themes.png|thumb|CDC/ATSDR Social Vulnerability Index variables grouped into four themes]]

The basic methodology of constructing a vulnerability index is described by [[University of Malta]] researcher Lino Briguglio who developed an economic vulnerability index (EVI) for describing the economic vulnerability of [[Small Island Developing States]] (SIDS).<ref name="Pereira">{{cite journal |last1=Pereira |first1=Edwina E. |last2=Steenge |first2=Albert E. |title=Vulnerability and Resilience in the Caribbean Island States; the Role of Connectivity |journal=Networks and Spatial Economics |date=1 September 2022 |volume=22 |issue=3 |pages=515–540 |doi=10.1007/s11067-021-09533-w |language=en |issn=1572-9427|doi-access=free |pmc=8159251 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Briguglio |first=Lino |date=1992 |title=Preliminary Study on the Construction of an Index for Ranking Countries According to their Economic Vulnerability |journal=UNCTAD/LDC/Misc.4

The basic methodology of constructing a vulnerability index is described by [[University of Malta]] researcher [[Lino Briguglio]] who developed an economic vulnerability index (EVI) for describing the economic vulnerability of [[Small Island Developing States]] (SIDS).<ref name="Pereira">{{cite journal |last1=Pereira |first1=Edwina E. |last2=Steenge |first2=Albert E. |title=Vulnerability and Resilience in the Caribbean Island States; the Role of Connectivity |journal=Networks and Spatial Economics |date=1 September 2022 |volume=22 |issue=3 |pages=515–540 |doi=10.1007/s11067-021-09533-w |language=en |issn=1572-9427|doi-access=free |pmc=8159251 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Briguglio |first=Lino |date=1992 |title=Preliminary Study on the Construction of an Index for Ranking Countries According to their Economic Vulnerability |journal=UNCTAD/LDC/Misc.4

}}</ref> The individual measures are weighted according to their relative importance. A cumulative score is then generated, typically by adding the weighted values. [[Decision tree]]s can evaluate alternative policy options. Much of the original research has been evaluated by Lino Briguglio and presenters at Oxford, providing a body of secondary source material.

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==Extension of the general concept ==

The [[IPCC]] embraced vulnerability as a key category in 2001.<ref>IMPACTS, ADAPTATION, AND VULNERABILITY/Climate Change 2001: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability is the most comprehensive and up-to-date scientific assessment of the consequences of, and adaptation responses to, climate change.</ref> A 2002 paper then applied a vulnerability indexing model to analysis of vulnerability to [[sea level rise]] for a US coastal community.<ref>[https://www.int-res.com/articles/cr2002/22/c022p255.pdf Vulnerability of coastal communities to sea-level rise: a case study of Cape May County, New Jersey, USA]</ref> At a 2008 [[Capacity Building]] Seminar at Oxford, the "[[Climate Vulnerability Index]]"<ref <ref name=app6/> was presented with an application to the protection of tourist economies, which may be important to small island states and others. By the time of this seminar, vulnerability indexes were established as governance tools. However, despite existing vulnerability assessment methodologies, vulnerability assessments are heavily influenced by data availability, data reliability, extent, scale, rating methods of vulnerability indicators, and interpretation of the 'vulnerability' and related concepts. As a result, there are many frameworks and indices available which are attuned to specific systems, areas, or circumstances, rather than a comprehensive definition or framework.<ref>{{cite journal | url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11852-015-0396-6 | doi=10.1007/s11852-015-0396-6 | title=Vulnerability assessments of coastal river deltas - categorization and review | year=2015 | last1=Wolters | first1=Michel L. | last2=Kuenzer | first2=Claudia | journal=Journal of Coastal Conservation | volume=19 | issue=3 | pages=345–368 | s2cid=127950375 | url-access=subscription }}</ref>

==In hazard planning==