Social vulnerability assessment in the health and disease context: Review

Abstract

Abstract Background Social vulnerability is a multidimensional concept based on multivariate factors in domains of physical, social, economic, environmental, etc., and the subsets that constitute it. When addressed effectively, it paves the way for resolving and recorrecting certain facets that play a key role in determining the degree of susceptibility and potentiality of a population to address adverse situations. Aim The current study aims at synthesising research works and providing a comprehensive overview of social vulnerability assessment in the health and disease arena. Subject and methods It incorporates the concept of vulnerability, approaches, indices, indicators, and methodologies regarding social vulnerability in the health and disease arena from selected associated research articles accessed from digital database sources. Results There is an evident trend in associating new tools and techniques with the assessment of social vulnerability, along with conventional methods. Conclusion The results provide a theoretical background for subsequent research and an update on the recent trends in this topic of interest.

Keywords

• Review
• Vulnerability
• Social vulnerability
• Social Vulnerability Index
• Indicators