What is "vulnerability index"

n. a formula for the evaluation and quantification of mortality and morbidity risk as developed for and applied to homeless persons in various social initiatives in the USA

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”. 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. The term and methodology then expanded through medical literature and social work as discussed by Dr. James O'Connell of Boston Healthcare for the Homeless.

Vulnerability index, vulnerability indexes or vulnerability indices may refer to:

• Vulnerability index a generic concept developed in the Small Developing Islands program and extended to medical and environmental planning.
• Economic Vulnerability Index introduced by the United Nations Committee for Development Policy
• Environmental Vulnerability Index a measurement devised by the South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission of the United Nations Environment Program and others
• Homeless Vulnerability Index, a means for identifying and prioritizing the street homeless population for housing according to the fragility of their health