The influence of Group Heterogeneity on Mask-Wearing and Epidemic Coevolution: a Coupled Disease-Behavior Model

Abstract

Abstract Background Wearing masks in public is to some extent a matter of group identity. Different groups have varying attitudes and preferences towards mask-wearing which makes the dynamics of concurrent spread of disease and mask-wearing difficult to analyze and interpret. Methods In this work, we incorporate group heterogeneity into a coupled disease-behavior model and analyze the effect of group heterogeneity in behavioral preferences for mask-wearing on the joint dynamics of behavior and epidemiology. Results Our findings suggest that group heterogeneity in behavioral preferences for mask-wearing leads to a non-monotonic critical shift in mask-wearing rates and disease dynamics. Specifically, when heterogeneity exceeds a critical value, mask-wearing rates fall sharply and disease prevalence rises rapidly. Further, dynamic shifts in the degree of heterogeneity allow for a better understanding of the relationship between policy responses and epidemic dynamics. Conclusions We believe that consideration of group heterogeneity in behavioral preferences is necessary and valuable for incorporating models of infectious diseases with behavioral changes.