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 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.jedc.org/forms/Vulnerability%20Index.pdf |title=Vulnerability Index: Prioritizing the Street Homeless Population by Mortality Risk |author=Juneau Economic Development Council |yeardate=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O'Connor, James| Unpublished public forum presentation|University of Santa Barbara|Santa Barbara, California 2011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 ==

The basic methodology of constructing a vulnerability index is described by [[University of Malta]] researcher Lino Briguglio.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Briguglio |first=Lino |yeardate=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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==In hazard planning==

The concept has been extended and applied in dealing with risk from natural hazards and the part that population metrics play in making such a situation into a disaster. In the USA this has been done at a county level. And is run by the Hazards and Vulnerability Research Institute <ref> http://webra.cas.sc.edu/hvri/products/sovifaq.aspx </ref> since 2003.

===In medicine ===

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==References==

{{Reflist|230em}}

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