Child Opportunity Index: A Multidimensional Indicator to Measure Neighborhood Conditions Influencing Children's Health

Abstract

The Child Opportunity Index (COI), developed about 10 years ago by the Diversity Data Kids organization4 with the endorsement of the US National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments,4 provides a useful method to measure and map the quality of resources and conditions that are needed for children to develop their potential in a safe and healthy way in the neighborhoods where they live. Over the past decade, COI has been utilized mainly by US research groups to assess different kinds of local situations or contexts. However, its use is uncommon in other countries. This commentary, prepared by the Social Pediatrics Working Group of the European Association of Pediatrics/Union of European National Pediatric Societies and Associations, briefly discusses COI and its possible application in different socioeconomic contexts globally. The purpose is to draw the attention of pediatricians, social workers, and teachers to this important tool and to discuss whether, when adapted to different contexts in different countries, COI could be a useful means of assessing the quality of local neighborhoods.