An Integrated Modeling Environment to Study the Coevolution of Networks, Individual Behavior, and Epidemics

We discuss an interaction-based approach to study the coevolution between sociotechnical networks, individual behaviors, and contagion processes on these networks. We use epidemics in human populations as an example of this phenomenon. The methods consist of developing synthetic yet realistic national-scale networks using a first-principles approach. Unlike simple random graph techniques, these methods combine real-world data sources with behavioral and social theories to synthesize detailed social contact (proximity) networks. Individual-based models of within-host disease progression and interhost transmission are then used to model the contagion process.