Decisions and Disease

Do you usually get a flu shot every year? Do you usually take preventive measures to avoid contracting sexually transmitted infections? It is reasonable to expect that while many people may answer `no‘ to the first question, they may answer `yes‘ to the second question. In recent joint work with my PhD student, Carl-Joar Karlsson, we have discovered a mathematical explanation for these different choices. Here I will explain mathematical models we have developed that combine the spread of different types of diseases together with the evolution of human behavioral choices. These models create dynamical systems, and the stable equilibrium points provide insights into both the spread of disease as well as the evolution of human behaviors. These insights may be relevant for both the current pandemic as well as any new diseases we may encounter in the future.

The Dalhousie-AARMS Analysis-Applied Math-Physics Seminar takes place on Fridays from 4 – 5 pm Atlantic Time over Zoom.  If you would like to attend, please email the organizers for connection details.