Learning from Crises

Problem

How can policymakers and community groups better address social and economic factors that make some populations more vulnerable to risk in the face of a crisis?

The coronavirus pandemic has revealed the vulnerability of segments of the population to significant physical, social, and economic upheaval.

Findings

Penn State researchers developed an online tool to assist community leaders and policymakers in understanding and mitigating these vulnerabilities.

• Interactive maps illustrate data on the prevalence of 12 vulnerability risk factors, such as poverty, housing cost burden, lack of broadband internet access, poor healthcare coverage, food insecurity, and others.
• Narrative text and discussion questions facilitate engagement and stimulate thought about how, why, and where the pandemic and resulting disruptions could affect local populations.

Impact

Although growing out of the COVID-19 crisis, the project has a longer-range value. This research and tool will help to:

• Catalyze citizens, civic groups, nonprofit organizations, and the public and private sectors to think about not only how to guide residents through the current crisis but also approaches to address chronic issues affecting various populations
• Strengthen communities, leaving them more prepared to face challenges and recover from unexpected events in the future

Related Research Area: Community Resilience and Capacity

Research Credit

Team

• Cristy Halerz Schmidt, Timothy W. Kelsey, Alyssa Gurklis

Participating Departments

• Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education

Partners

• Penn State Center for Economic and Community Development, Penn State Extension

Federal and State Appropriations

• USDA NIFA Multistate Hatch Project PEN04633, Accession #1014522; USDANIFA Smith-Lever Project PEN08103

Emerging Discoveries

StoryMap project shines light on Pennsylvania's vulnerable communities

May 18, 2020

Researchers in the Center for Economic and Community Development in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences have developed an online StoryMap, titled "Vulnerable Pennsylvanians in the Context of a Pandemic," that they hope will facilitate engagement and help communities become stronger in the wake of COVID-19.

COVID-related unemployment hits people of color, women and older workers hardest

November 18, 2020

Job losses resulting from the coronavirus pandemic have affected wide swaths of the population, but workers in some demographic groups and industry sectors have been hit harder than others, according to "COVID-19 and Pennsylvania’s Economy," a series of reports compiled by researchers in Penn State's Center for Economic and Community Development.

Online Tool

• Vulnerable Pennsylvanians in the Context of a Pandemic