Skip to main content

Agent-Based Modeling in Public Health: Current Applications and Future Directions.

Author
Abstract
:

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. Wealso 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. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Public Health Volume 39 is April 1, 2018. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

Year of Publication
:
2018
Journal
:
Annual review of public health
Date Published
:
2018
ISSN Number
:
0163-7525
DOI
:
10.1146/annurev-publhealth-040617-014317
Short Title
:
Annu Rev Public Health
Download citation