title: Heat Vulnerability Index Mapping for Milwaukee and Wisconsin.
abstract: Extreme heat waves elevate the population's risk for heat-related morbidity and mortality, specifically for vulnerable groups such as older adults and young children. In this context, we developed 2 Heat Vulnerability Indices (HVIs), one for the state of Wisconsin and one for the Milwaukee metropolitan area.
  
  
  
  Through the creation of an HVI, state and local agencies will be able to use the indices as a planning tool for extreme heat events.
  
  
  
  Data used for the HVIs were grouped into 4 categories: (1) population density; (2) health factors; (3) demographic and socioeconomic factors; and (4) natural and built environment factors. These categories were mapped at the Census block group level.
  
  
  
  Unweighted z-score data were used to determine index scores, which were then mapped by quantiles ranging from "high" to "low" vulnerability.
  
  
  
  Statewide, Menominee County exhibited the highest vulnerability to extreme heat. Milwaukee HVI findings indicated high vulnerability in the city's inner core versus low vulnerability along the lakeshore.
  
  
  
  Visualization of vulnerability could help local public health agencies prepare for future extreme heat events.
authors.affiliation: Division of Public Health, Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Madison, WI (Ms Christenson, Messrs Phillips and B. Anderson, and Dr H. A. Anderson) School of Nursing and Health Studies, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL (Dr Geiger and Ms Losurdo).
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Christenson
authors.forename: Sarah Dee
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Geiger
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Losurdo
authors.forename: Henry A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Anderson
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D062305:Geographic Mapping; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007259:Infrared Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D011634:Public Health / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014922:Wisconsin