Vulnerability index: Difference between revisions

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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>[http://www.geog.ox.ac.uk/news/events/ccamts/appendix06.pdf The Climate Vulnerability Index:relevance to the Tourism Sector]</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]].

The origin of vulnerability indexes as a policy planning tool occurred began with the [[United Nations Environmental Program]]. One of the participants in the early task forces has also conducted secondary research documenting the evolution of the analytic tool through various stages.<ref name=uneplist>[http://www.unep.org/ourplanet/imgversn/103/17_mea2.htm List of Vulnerability Studies]</ref> The term and methodology then expanded<ref>[http://www.macchomeless.org/pdf/ResultsFactSheet-Omaha.pdf Homelessness and the Vulnerability Index: A Guide to Registry Week Results in the Omaha Metro Region]</ref> through medical literature and social work as discussed by Dr. James O'Connell of Boston Healthcare for the Homeless.<ref>http://www.commonground.org/?page_id=789</ref>{{deadlink|date=January 2012}}<ref>O'Connor, James| Unpublished public forum presentation|University of Santa Barbara|Santa Barbara, California 2011</ref>

== Basic methodology ==