The Uses of Epidemic Models

Abstract

Formulated models describe the spread of infectious diseases through a community. Some standard epidemic models are introduced and an overview of their uses is provided. A discussion of the advantages of simple models over complex ones and the advantages of stochastic models over deterministic ones is included. The role that epidemic models can play in helping to understand the spread of diseases and to plan control policies for diseases is explained. Some major insights gained from a study of epidemic models and from statistical analyses of disease data using epidemic models are reviewed. Suggestions for future research projects are made.