How can we ensure neighborhoods support healthy aging? This study introduces the Healthy Ageing/Vulnerable Environment (HAVEN) Index, a pioneering tool designed to assess the age-friendliness of South Australian locales. By synthesizing diverse data points, the index provides a comprehensive snapshot of community well-being. This innovative index aims to reflect an area's age-friendliness through a composite spatial measure. Spanning six crucial themes—income and employment, education, health and housing, social connectedness, geographic access, and physical environment—the index incorporates over 40 indicator variables. The HAVEN Index uses area-level data and quantitative geospatial methods for modeling, reflecting a deficit accumulation approach. Analysis of state-wide mortality data and emergency department presentations revealed that vulnerable areas correlated with higher mortality risk and ED visits. The HAVEN Index offers valuable insights for needs-based support, highlighting spatial inequalities and promoting the development of age-friendly neighborhoods. Its favorable comparison with national socio-economic measures underscores its utility in informing targeted interventions. The index serves as a vital resource for policymakers and community planners seeking to create environments that foster healthy aging and reduce spatial disparities, with direct implications for public health initiatives and urban development strategies.
Published in Geographical Research, this paper aligns with the journal's focus on spatial analysis and social geography. The development and application of the HAVEN Index directly contribute to understanding geographic factors impacting vulnerable populations, particularly concerning healthy ageing. This research is significant for its innovative methodology and potential to inform policies addressing spatial inequalities, a key theme within the journal's scope.