The Healthy Ageing/Vulnerable Environment (HAVEN) Index: Measuring neighbourhood age-friendliness

Abstract

This study describes the development and testing of the Healthy Ageing/Vulnerable Environment (HAVEN) Index, a prototype composite spatial index for South Australia that reflects an area’s age-friendliness. The index incorporates over 40 indicator variables across six variable themes: income and employment; education; health and housing; social connectedness; geographic access; and physical environment. Based on the deficit accumulation approach, the modelling uses area-level rather than individual-level data and is compiled through quantitative geospatial methods. Analysis using the HAVEN Index of state-wide mortality data and hospital emergency department (ED) presentations for Central Adelaide found that vulnerable areas were associated with a higher risk of mortality and ED presentation. Comparisons between the HAVEN Index and a widely used national area-level measure of socio-economic differences found that the HAVEN Index compares favourably and provides additional information about local areas, which can inform needs-based approaches to support the reduction of spatial inequalities and the development of age-friendly neighbourhoods.