The Social Vulnerability Index

The Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) is a tool used to measure how sensitive communities are to challenges like disasters or public health crises. It considers factors such as income, age, language barriers, housing quality, and access to transportation. Communities with higher SVI scores may have more difficulty preparing for and responding to emergencies because of limited resources or social disadvantages. This information helps public officials identify vulnerable populations, plan effective support, and allocate resources to improve resilience and emergency response efforts in different areas.