This symposium will focus on improving how we define and measure neighborhood disadvantage in epidemiology so that research is (1) measuring what matters and (2) informing interventions. Speakers will review the current state of epidemiologic research on neighborhood disadvantage, discussing commonly used metrics like the Social Vulnerability Index and Area Deprivation Index, and highlight challenges in capturing neighborhood conditions that vary over time, space, and context. One presentation will present implications of neighborhood disadvantage index selection Another will describe efforts to develop a new, context-specific social vulnerability index for disaster preparedness. The session will conclude with a discussion on future directions, with a focus on identifying characteristics of neighborhood environments that are measurable and modifiable. The presenters will probe for audience participation in thinking about policy implications of research and the utility of using single-measures of neighborhood characteristics compared with indices.