Agent-based modeling is a computational approach in which agents with a specified set of characteristics interact with each other and with their environment according to predefined rules. We review key areas in public health where agent-based modeling has been adopted, including both communicable and noncommunicable disease, health behaviors, and social epidemiology. We also describe the main strengths and limitations of this approach for questions with public health relevance. Finally, we describe both methodologic and substantive future directions that we believe will enhance the value of agent-based modeling for public health. In particular, advances in model validation, comparisons with other causal modeling procedures, and the expansion of the models to consider comorbidity and joint influences more systematically will improve the utility of this approach to inform public health research, practice, and policy.
Agent-Based Modeling in Public Health: Current Applications and Future Directions
Melissa Tracy,M. Cerdá,K. Keyes
Published 2018 in Annual Review of Public Health
ABSTRACT
PUBLICATION RECORD
- Publication year
2018
- Venue
Annual Review of Public Health
- Publication date
2018-01-12
- Fields of study
Medicine, Computer Science, Environmental Science
- Identifiers
- External record
- Source metadata
Semantic Scholar, PubMed
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