Community Health Vulnerability Index for Disaster Preparedness

FEATURED PROJECT

Community Health Vulnerability Index for Disaster Preparedness

Using data to identify risk and promote equity in emergency planning

This data analytics capstone project examined the intersection of social vulnerability, hazard risk, and community preparedness across different communities. The project combined data from the CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index, FEMA’s National Risk Index, and U.S. Census estimates to explore how data can help identify communities that may face greater risk during disasters.

The goal was to develop a data-informed tool that supports more equitable emergency planning by highlighting patterns related to housing, poverty, minority status, health coverage, and hazard risk across urban, rural, and tribal communities.

This project was completed independently by Emily Long as part of the Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate through Mentor Me Collective, blending technical data analytics skills with professional experience in emergency management and public health preparedness.

PROJECT FRAMEWORK

How the Project Was Organized

Focus Areas

The project explored patterns related to housing, poverty, minority status, health coverage, hazard risk, and community preparedness.
Data Sources

CDC Social Vulnerability Index, FEMA National Risk Index, and U.S. Census estimates were used to examine vulnerability, hazard risk, and community-level indicators.
Planning Use Case

The analysis was designed to help planners, public health officials, emergency managers, and resilience professionals identify areas that may need additional preparedness support.
Equity Lens

Description goes hereThe project focused on historically under-resourced communities, including urban, rural, and tribal communities, to support more equitable emergency planning.

PROJECT DELIVERABLES

View the Full Project Materials

The full capstone materials include the project report, presentation deck, and presentation video developed as part of the Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate through Mentor Me Collective.