The Critical Role of Networks to Describe Disease Spreading Dynamics in Social Systems: A Perspective

Michele Bellingeri (), Daniele Bevacqua, Francesco Scotognella and Davide Cassi
Additional contact information
Michele Bellingeri: Dipartimento di Scienze Matematiche, Fisiche e Informatiche, Università di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze, 7/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
Daniele Bevacqua: PSH, UR 1115, INRAE, Domaine Saint-Paul, 228 Route de l’Aérodrome, 84914 Avignon, France
Francesco Scotognella: Dipartimento di Scienza Applicata e Tecnologia (DISAT), Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi, 24, 10129 Torino, Italy
Davide Cassi: Dipartimento di Scienze Matematiche, Fisiche e Informatiche, Università di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze, 7/A, 43124 Parma, Italy

Mathematics, 2024, vol. 12, issue 6, 1-11

Abstract: This review underscores the critical significance of incorporating networks science in epidemiology. Classic mathematical compartmental models (CMs) employed to describe epidemic spreading may fail to capture the intricacies of real disease dynamics. Rooted in the mean-field assumption, CMs oversimplify by assuming that every individual has the potential to “infect” any other, neglecting the inherent complexity of underlying network structures. Since social interactions follow a networked pattern with specific links between individuals based on social behaviors, joining classic CMs and network science in epidemiology becomes essential for a more authentic portrayal of epidemic spreading. This review delves into noteworthy research studies that, from various perspectives, elucidate how the synergy between networks and CMs can enhance the accuracy of epidemic descriptions. In conclusion, we explore research prospects aimed at further elevating the integration of networks within the realm of epidemiology, recognizing its pivotal role in refining our understanding of disease dynamics.

Keywords: complex networks; network epidemic spreading; complex systems; networks structure (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7390/12/6/792/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7390/12/6/792/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jmathe:v:12:y:2024:i:6:p:792-:d:1353361

Access Statistics for this article

Mathematics is currently edited by Ms. Emma He

More articles in Mathematics from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().