Vulnerability index: Difference between revisions

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Revision as of 04:33, 25 May 2013

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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 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>{{cite web |url=http://www.commongroundjedc.org/?page_id=789<forms/ref>{{deadVulnerability%20Index.pdf link|datetitle=JanuaryVulnerability 2012Index: Prioritizing the Street Homeless Population by Mortality Risk |author=Juneau Economic Development Council |year=2009|format=PDF|publisher=Common Ground |accessdate=25 May 2013}}</ref><ref>O'Connor, James| Unpublished public forum presentation|University of Santa Barbara|Santa Barbara, California 2011</ref>

== Basic methodology ==

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===In medicine ===

In 2005 a “Histopathological Plaque Vulnerability Index“ was proposed.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Local Maximal Stress Hypothesis and Computational Plaque Vulnerability Index for Atherosclerotic Plaque Assessment |authors=Tang, et. al. |pmc=1474005 | pmid=16389527 |doi=10.1007/s10439-005-8267-1 |volume=33 |issue=12 |year=2005 |month=December |authorlast1=Tang D,|first1=Dalin |last2=Yang C,|first2=Chun |last3=Zheng J, ''et al.'' |first3=Jie|first4=Pamela|last4=Woodard|first5=Jeffrey|last5=Saffitz|first6=Joseph|last6=Petruccelli
|first7=Gregorio|last7=Sicard|first8=Chun|last8=Yuan|display-authors=1|journal=Ann Biomed Eng |pages=1789–801}}</ref> Thereafter, the term was adopted by Dr Jim O’Connell, at Boston’s Healthcare for the Homeless. The model was also adopted by Common Ground, an advocacy organization in New York City which promulgated the vulnerability index to Santa Monica, New Orleans, Washington, DC, and what their literature referred to as “Los Angeles County’s infamous Skid Row”. It utilizes eight key health indicators that measure a chronically homeless person's vulnerability to early death. The model is now being adopted and registry week drives in the “ inner city areas” of Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.<ref>[http://www.commongroundaustralia.org.au/index.php/other-initiatives.html Other Common Ground Initiatives ]</ref>

==See also==