What to know
This dashboard is designed to: explore access to these critical resources; to identify communities where people may be more vulnerable to hurricanes and other tropical cyclones, and; to promote understanding of the variation in resilience, risk, and health outcomes.
Explorer map
The seven social determinants of health (SDOH) domains below are based on the Vital Conditions Framework. These indicators measure growth and the thriving nature of a community. To examine health measures of a community based on these domains, view the interactive map.
Examples used throughout this section reference residents who live near coastal regions. People living in these areas have experienced significant impacts from hurricanes in the past.
Basic needs for health and safety
Complications from hurricanes and tropical storms can make pre-existing health disparities within a community worse. Emotional stress may increase when normal routines are interrupted, and communities lose access to medical necessities. Identifying health and safety resources that remain available during and after storms offers community members the opportunity to stay healthy during and after a hurricane. Data measures for this domain include capacity to respond to disaster, and proximity to health care, medicine, and emergency organizations.
Thriving natural world
The state of the natural world prior to a hurricane event can affect a community afterwards. Some geographic locations are more susceptible to damage than others. Existing pollutants of natural resources may be worse after a hurricane and cause surrounding areas to become hazardous. Using local indicators of environmental resilience can inform residents how to safely exist in the outside environment. Examples of data that represent the natural world include environmental resilience to trails and parks, clean water, and potential contaminants.
Humane housing
Structures that are not correctly constructed to meet an area's environmental needs may get damaged or destroyed during a hurricane. Durable, reliable structures that can resist a hurricane or tropical storm are needed to provide emergency and temporary housing. Additionally, buildings that are environmentally friendly and safe can allow a community to withstand extreme events. Hurricane preparedness can involve investing in proper building structures and reducing environmental pollutants. Measures for this domain include indicators for temporary housing and infrastructure resilience.
Belonging and civic muscle
The U.S. Surgeon General describes belonging as an essential human need. When community members are able to achieve a sense of belonging, they are more likely to engage and lend support in their local community, a characteristic that the Vital Conditions Frameworks names as "Civic Muscle." Understanding which aspects of belonging and civic muscle are present can inform how best to communicate and collaborate during a hurricane. Indicators for this domain include the frequencies associated with place attachment-the degree to which a resident feels connection with their community, political engagement, religious organizations, civic organizations, and disaster volunteerism.
Reliable transportation
Households with personal transportation may have the freedom to evacuate in a timely manner during a disaster rather than attempt to take shelter in an at-risk area. Knowledge of evacuation routes and access to affordable or public transportation are important during emergency events. Guaranteed safety and cultural preference influence the likelihood of using public transportation. This is especially true for people without access to personal vehicles or if residents do not have an evacuation plan. Indicators for reliable transportation include walkability, mobility, personal transportation, and access to fuel.
Lifelong learning
Exploring each community's unique preferences for learning new information is important to ensure that new information about hurricanes is accessible and received in a timely manner. A community with a variety of communication and learning resources can share important messages about disaster preparation and response, such as evacuation routes. The ability to share information about hurricanes, whether through trainings, radio, or social media, is part of a well-prepared and thriving community. Indicators for this domain include availability of educational resources, schools, and universities.
Meaningful work and wealth
Having a variety of types of jobs with diverse workers helps protect communities against large-scale change in income and employment after a hurricane. An extreme weather event can create an unpredictable environment, making financial stability an important component to the health, wellbeing, and resilience of a community. Making sure a community has a range of expertise and experience can aid recovery in the long-term. It can also help a community keep thriving after an event. Indicators for this domain include examples of economic resilience, such as employment.