How can I explore indices on IP3 ASSESS?
An index is defined as a composite indicator that is formed when individual indicators are compiled into a single measure. Indices are created on the basis of an underlying model of a multidimensional concept that is being measured (e.g. population health). In the last decade, there has been an increase in the number of indices used and promoted to assess population health and related concepts, like social vulnerability or food environment. Such indices enable the linking of multiple risk factors to an outcome, accounting for the complex factors that drive health and well-being.
IP3 ASSESS accounts for the complex nature of population well-being by organizing multiple indicators into domains, and multiple domains into frameworks*. A composite score is obtained for each domain within a framework by summarizing multiple indicators. Looking across domains, a user can better understand factors that contribute to a complex concept—like population well-being—not unlike an index.
Frameworks, like indices, can hone in on a particular issue, as with the Opioid & Substance Use framework, which includes domains and indicators related to both the extent of substance use and its upstream contributing factors.
Generally, we discourage the use of indices with IP3 ASSESS for three key reasons:
- Multiple indicators: IP3 ASSESS already accounts for the complexities by summarizing multiple indicators into domains and frameworks in a similar fashion to indices.
- Double counting: Many of the indicators in commonly used indices in the field of public health are already incorporated into frameworks on IP3 ASSESS. Including both indices and the underlying indicators would create duplication in data outputs and overemphasize certain factors.
- Z-score analysis: IP3 ASSESS uses a Z-score approach to analyze indicators and summarize domains. Z-score analysis assumes normal distribution of data; however, indices are generally normalized already.
That said, several indices are used on IP3 ASSESS as there is a lack of comparable publicly-available data. Below are the indices currently available on IP3 ASSESS.
- Respiratory Hazard Index
- Residential Segregation
- Gini Index
- Walk Score / Bike Score
Although other indices are not loaded into IP3 ASSESS as raw data and displayed on the Frameworks screen, users may opt to display index data on Reports using text or image widgets.
*While some indices use indicator weighting to deem certain indicators as more important, or more strongly related, to the concept the index is trying to capture, IP3 ASSESS weights each indicator equally, and simply uses a z-score analysis to generate the composite score.