Adapting the Baseline Resilience Indicators for Communities (BRIC) Framework for England: Development of a Community Resilience Index

Abstract

Community resilience results from complex interactions between people, places, and environments. Measuring community resilience aligns with policy objectives to enhance resilience to adverse events and address spatial disparities. The Baseline Resilience Indicators for Communities (BRIC) is a composite index used to measure resilience. This study adapts the BRIC approach to develop a Community Resilience Index (CRI) for England. A systematic review informed indicator selection, and principal components analysis was used to define sub-indices and allocate weightings. The resulting CRI comprised 44 indicators across five domains, quantifying the resilience of English local authorities. Geographical comparisons were made using t-tests and ANOVA, and the CRI was validated against the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD). The mean CRI score for local authorities in England was 83.1, ranging from 53.3 to 108.9. Resilience scores showed spatial patterning, with London and the South East scoring highest. The North had lower CRI scores than the Midlands and South (p = 0.022). Coastal and rural areas also showed lower resilience (p < 0.001). CRI and IMD were inversely correlated (r = −0.564, p < 0.0001). This study contributes to the literature by providing the first detailed assessment of community resilience in England using an adapted BRIC framework. The CRI provides a framework for measuring community resilience in England and could be used to explore associations with health outcomes and guide funding allocation.