Speakers
Description
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical need for improved formulations that incorporate human behavior into epidemiological models. Individual actions, manifested through behaviors such as mask-wearing or changes in mobility patterns, are influenced by public risk perception and, in turn, alter infectious disease spread locally and across the population. Furthermore, individual actions impact the evaluation of interventions, which are typically decided at a governmental level, without necessarily considering the diverse social, psychological, and contextual factors that shape human behavior. Given the high variability of human behavior, novel and innovative implementations in epidemic models are vital. This minisymposium showcases researchers working on cutting-edge formulations that incorporate human behavior into epidemiological models and how those choices affect projected outcomes and understanding.
