Tucson Equity Priority Index (TEPI): Pima County Block Groups

For detailed information, visit the Tucson Equity Priority Index StoryMap. Download the Data Dictionary What is the Tucson Equity Priority Index (TEPI)? The Tucson Equity Priority Index (TEPI) is a tool that describes the distribution of socially vulnerable demographics. It categorizes the dataset into 5 classes that represent the differing prioritization needs based on the presence of social vulnerability: Low (0-20), Low-Moderate (20-40), Moderate (40-60), Moderate-High (60-80) High (80-100). Each class represents 20% of the dataset’s features in order of their values. The features within the Low (0-20) classification represent the areas that, when compared to all other locations in the study area, have the lowest need for prioritization, as they tend to have less socially vulnerable demographics. The features that fall into the High (80-100) classification represent the 20% of locations in the dataset that have the greatest need for prioritization, as they tend to have the highest proportions of socially vulnerable demographics. How is social vulnerability measured? The Tucson Equity Priority Index (TEPI) examines the proportion of vulnerability per feature using 11 demographic indicators: Income Below Poverty: Households with income at or below the federal poverty level (FPL), which in 2023 was $14,500 for an individual and $30,000 for a family of four Unemployment: Measured as the percentage of unemployed persons in the civilian labor force Housing Cost Burdened: Homeowners who spend more than 30% of their income on housing expenses, including mortgage, maintenance, and taxes Renter Cost Burdened: Renters who spend more than 30% of their income on rent No Health Insurance: Those without private health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, or any other plan or program No Vehicle Access: Households without automobile, van, or truck access High School Education or Less: Those highest level of educational attainment is a High School diploma, equivalency, or less Limited English Ability: Those whose ability to speak English is "Less Than Well." People of Color: Those who identify as anything other than Non-Hispanic White Disability: Households with one or more physical or cognitive disabilities Age: Groups that tend to have higher levels of vulnerability, including children (those below 18), and seniors (those 65 and older) An overall percentile value is calculated for each feature based on the total proportion of the above indicators in each area. How are the variables combined? These indicators are divided into two main categories that we call Thematic Indices: Economic and Personal Characteristics. The two thematic indices are further divided into five sub-indices called Tier-2 Sub-Indices. Each Tier-2 Sub-Index contains 2-3 indicators. Indicators are the datasets used to measure vulnerability within each sub-index. The variables for each feature are re-scaled using the percentile normalization method, which converts them to the same scale using values between 0 to 100. The variables are then combined first into each of the five Tier-2 Sub-Indices, then the Thematic Indices, then the overall TEPI using the mean aggregation method and equal weighting. The resulting dataset is then divided into the five classes, where: High Vulnerability (80-100%): Representing the top classification, this category includes the highest 20% of regions that are the most socially vulnerable. These areas require the most focused attention. Moderate-High Vulnerability (60-80%): This upper-middle classification includes areas with higher levels of vulnerability compared to the median. While not the highest, these areas are more vulnerable than a majority of the dataset and should be considered for targeted interventions. Moderate Vulnerability (40-60%): Representing the middle or median quintile, this category includes areas of average vulnerability. These areas may show a balanced mix of high and low vulnerability. Detailed examination of specific indicators is recommended to understand the nuanced needs of these areas. Low-Moderate Vulnerability (20-40%): Falling into the lower-middle classification, this range includes areas that are less vulnerable than most but may still exhibit certain vulnerable characteristics. These areas typically have a mix of lower and higher indicators, with the lower values predominating. Low Vulnerability (0-20%): This category represents the bottom classification, encompassing the lowest 20% of data points. Areas in this range are the least vulnerable, making them the most resilient compared to all other features in the dataset.如需获取详细信息，请访问图森公平优先指数故事地图（Tucson Equity Priority Index StoryMap），并下载数据字典（Data Dictionary）。 什么是图森公平优先指数（Tucson Equity Priority Index，TEPI）？ 图森公平优先指数（TEPI）是一款用于刻画社会脆弱人口分布特征的分析工具。该数据集依据社会脆弱性程度划分为5个优先级类别，以反映差异化的保障需求：低优先级（0-20分）、低中优先级（20-40分）、中优先级（40-60分）、中高优先级（60-80分）及高优先级（80-100分）。每个类别涵盖数据集内20%的研究单元，按指标值排序划分。 处于低优先级（0-20分）类别的研究区域，相较于研究区内其他所有区域，保障需求最低，其社会脆弱人口占比普遍偏低。而划入高优先级（80-100分）类别的研究区域，则对应数据集内20%保障需求最高的群体，社会脆弱人口占比普遍最高。 社会脆弱性如何量化？ 图森公平优先指数（TEPI）通过11项人口统计指标核算各研究单元的脆弱性占比，具体包括： 1. 低于贫困线收入：家庭收入达到或低于联邦贫困线（Federal Poverty Level, FPL），2023年联邦贫困线标准为单人14500美元、四口之家30000美元； 2. 失业状况：民用劳动力群体中的失业人员占比； 3. 住房成本负担过重：住房支出（含抵押贷款、维护费用及税费）占家庭收入30%以上的自有住房者； 4. 租房成本负担过重：房租支出占家庭收入30%以上的租房群体； 5. 无医疗保险：未拥有私人医疗保险、联邦医疗保险（Medicare）、医疗补助计划（Medicaid）或其他任何医保计划的群体； 6. 无机动车出行条件：无汽车、厢式货车或卡车的家庭； 7. 高中及以下学历：最高受教育程度为高中毕业证、同等学力或更低的群体； 8. 英语能力有限：英语口语能力被评定为“较差”的群体； 9. 少数族裔群体：身份识别为非西班牙裔白人以外的群体； 10. 残障情况：存在1项或多项生理或认知残障的家庭； 11. 年龄脆弱群体：包括18岁以下儿童及65岁及以上老年人在内的脆弱年龄组。 基于各区域上述11项指标的总占比，可计算得到各研究单元的总体百分位数值。 指标如何整合计算？ 上述指标被划分为两大主题指数，即经济特征与个人特征。两大主题指数进一步细分为5个二级子指数（Tier-2 Sub-Indices），每个二级子指数包含2-3项细分指标。 各研究单元的变量首先通过百分位归一化（percentile normalization）方法进行重缩放，将其转换为0至100分的统一量纲。随后，变量先被整合至5个二级子指数，再依次整合为两大主题指数，最终通过均值聚合（mean aggregation）与等权重方式计算得到总体TEPI得分。 最终生成的数据集被划分为以下5个类别： 1. 高脆弱性（80-100%）：属于最高优先级类别，涵盖社会脆弱性最高的前20%区域，此类区域需要最集中的关注与支持； 2. 中高脆弱性（60-80%）：属于中上游分类，区域脆弱性水平高于中位数。虽未达到最高等级，但相较于数据集内绝大多数区域更为脆弱，需考虑开展针对性干预措施； 3. 中脆弱性（40-60%）：属于中间五分位类别，区域脆弱性处于平均水平，通常兼具高低不同的脆弱性特征，建议通过对具体指标的详细分析，把握此类区域的差异化需求； 4. 低中脆弱性（20-40%）：属于中下游分类，区域脆弱性低于多数区域，但仍可能存在部分脆弱性特征，整体以低脆弱性指标为主，混杂少量高脆弱性指标； 5. 低脆弱性（0-20%）：属于最低优先级类别，涵盖脆弱性最低的20%数据点。此类区域社会脆弱性最弱，相较于数据集内其他所有研究单元，韧性最强。