2.1 Lecture I. » Summary
Dr. Meyers introduces the field of network epidemiology, which applies tools from complex systems science to uncover fundamental drivers of contagion and pressure points for effective control. Infectious diseases spread via encounters between people that can occur in any second of any day in any corner of the globe. By representing the essential structure of human connectivity in a mathematical framework, network epidemiology elucidates hotspots for transmission, early signs of an emerging threat, and ideal strategies for deploying vaccines, antiviral medications and social distancing interventions.