SHADAC recently added another geographic identifier to the tool – the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI).  The SVI is another product based on the ACS that quantifies social vulnerability based on 16 ACS variables grouped into four themes: socioeconomic status, household characteristics, racial and ethnic minority status, and housing type and transportation. The goal of the SVI is to help users identify which communities may need the most support, especially in response to events like public health emergencies or natural disasters.

This tool was funded by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation to support the work of insurance navigators and was created by SHADAC with essential guidance from the advisory board of MNsure navigators and policymakers. Since its creation, it has been applied for a variety of purposes, including strategic planning, equity initiatives, outreach efforts, and case studies.

For example, SHADAC recently used our ACS-based tool to identify uninsurance hotspots by ZIP code for navigator and assister organizations located in and around the Duluth area and then cross-referenced the two identified areas with characteristics of their populations to discover their unique compositions of persons by age, race and ethnicity, sex, disability status, and income level. One ZIP code’s uninsured population identified as mostly male, with higher rates of reported disability, and were younger (age 0-18 and 19-25), while the other identified as mostly white, mostly female, and were more likely to be working age (19-25 and 26-34). Equipped with this important context on the local population found in the profile, navigators and assisters were better able to focus and tailor outreach and enrollment activities and communications to these specific communities.

Tools like this, which leverage the ACS, are essential all year round, but are particularly useful during the MNsure Open Enrollment Period (OEP). In Minnesota, the OEP began on November 1, 2025, and runs through December 15, 2025, for coverage starting January 1, 2026. Understanding the unique characteristics of the communities served can significantly enhance the assistance navigators provide as they help consumers with coverage renewal, transitions, and sign-ups.

For example, identifying areas with the highest concentrations of uninsured individuals can help target and prioritize resources. Understanding the languages spoken and the industries where people work can guide tailored messaging. Awareness of disability prevalence and income profiles can inform what types of health insurance individuals may qualify for. Similarly, knowing the level of internet access can help navigators determine whether consumers can enroll from home, need external resources, or would benefit from in-person assistance.

For more information about this project, visit our resource page, where you can also find the tool and map, along with project details and a helpful video tutorial on using the tool. If you are interested in providing feedback on the tool (letting us know what’s helpful or what could be improved), in letting us know any data sources that could be added to make the tool more useful, or if you’re interested in us creating a version of the tool for another state or another organization with a specific need, reach out to our project leader Christina Worrall at cworrall@umn.edu or use the Contact Us feature on the SHADAC website.