CDC/ATSDR Social Vulnerability Index

The CDC/ATSDR Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) tool is used to determine the relative social vulnerability of every US census tract. The SVI data are updated bi-annually and available in different formats, such as interactive maps, tables, and excel files. SVI is based on themes including Socioeconomic Status, Household Characteristics, Racial and Ethnic Minority Status, and Housing Type and Transportation. For example, variables used in the Socioeconomic Status theme include Below 150% Poverty, Unemployed, Housing Cost Burden, No High School Diploma, and No Health Insurance. The Household Characteristics theme includes variables: Aged 65 and Older, Aged 17 and Younger, Civilian with a Disability, Single-Parent Households, and English Language Proficiency. In terms of the Racial and Ethnic Minority Status theme, variables used are Hispanic or Latino (of any race); Black and African American, Not Hispanic or Latino; American Indian and Alaska Native, Not Hispanic or Latino; Asian, Not Hispanic or Latino; Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, Not Hispanic or Latino; Two or More Races, Not Hispanic or Latino; Other Races, Not Hispanic or Latino. Lastly, the Housing Type and Transportation theme includes variables: Multi-Unit Structures, Mobile Homes, Crowding, No Vehicle, and Group Quarters. The above variables indicate the community’s ability to prevent human suffering and economic loss from natural or human-caused disasters or disease outbreaks, which is known as social vulnerability. SVI helps public health officials and local planners identify socially vulnerable populations and better support the group to prepare for, respond, and recover from the event of disasters or disease outbreaks.

SVI helps public health officials and local planners identify socially vulnerable populations and better support the groups to prepare for, respond, and recover from the event of natural or human-caused disasters or disease outbreaks.