reCOVer

ABOUT

reCOVer aims to help Toronto’s public health officials, emergency response staff, and residents identify neighbourhoods where vulnerable populations are located, and examine how resilient these communities might be in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Our goal was to develop a COVID-19-specific index, to identify susceptible populations and evaluate the vulnerability of Toronto neighbourhoods.

COVID-19 Neighbourhood Vulnerability Index

The CNVI consists of neighbourhood-level variables that account for vulnerable populations, probability of exposure, and preparedness of healthcare facilities. Together, these factors indicate which neighbourhoods may be more susceptible to exposure or less capable of dealing with crisis.

Socialeconomic Status

Encapsulates basic dimensions of SES status, such as education, income, ethnic concentration, and primary language.

Vulnerable Seniors

Accounts for the population seniors (>65) within each neighbourhood, seniors living alone, and the number of senior facilities in each neighbourhood.

Neighbourhood Health

Accounts for the prevalence of chronic respiratory diseases, COPD and asthma, along with diabetes and hypertension, among adults.

Heatlhcare Utilization

Reports annual hospitalization rates, ED visits, and proportion of Family Healthcare Team (FHT) or Community Healthcare Centre (CHC) patients.

Exposure and Behaviours

Identifies the population that is at high risk of exposure to the spread of communicable diseases, either through their living conditions or their behaviours.