Agent-based modeling applications in healthcare and infectious diseases

Charles Macal, Ph.D.
Argonne National Laboratory

ABSTRACT:
Agent-based modeling (ABM) is an approach to modeling systems comprised of autonomous, interacting agents. ABM applications are growing rapidly in many areas including healthcare: for modeling populations of heterogeneous agents, their behaviors and interactions. Applications range from modeling the onset of disease in future populations, to the diffusion of health resource information throughout the community, to the spread of cancer in the body, to predicting the extent of possible pandemics, among many others. Agent-based models often exhibit emergent, adaptive, behavior, and self-organization. This seminar briefly introduces ABM, discusses when it is appropriate to apply its unique capabilities, and discusses some practical applications related to healthcare.