The NEHP Index was developed as part of a Master of Public Health research project, which sought to describe the spatial correlation between certain socio-economic conditions and COVID-19 hotspots. The indicators selected for inclusion were based on a priori knowledge and current literature that link precarious employment, housing and financial circumstances to exposure to infectious diseases.

 

The Index includes:

• ability to work from home;

• proximity to others in the workplace;

• access to emergency funds; and

• precarious housing conditions such as overcrowding. 

 

These indicators were standardised, weighted equally and summed to create a single, composite score. 

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The NEHP Index differs from other commonly used metrics (e.g., SEIFA) in that it is specifically comprised of indicators which have been evidenced as sensitive to the impact of infectious disease outbreaks and policies to contain them, such as an occupation’s proximity to others in the workplace.  
 
The Index was mapped for Melbourne and Sydney at the Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2). An area with a high score (dark green) is representative of neighbourhoods that are more mobile and that have reduced capacity to distance and isolate and are therefore at greater risk of exposure to infectious diseases. A lower score (yellow) represents neighbourhoods in which people are less exposed to infectious disease outbreaks. For example, people residing in these areas are more likely to work in occupations that are amenable to work-from-home arrangements. 

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The Index is a scalable and iterative tool that offers an alternative, place-based approach to policy development for infectious disease preparedness and outbreak response. The research team is continually reviewing and updating the Index. 

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Feedback or questions?

Contact the research team at healthyhousing-cre@unimelb.edu.au