Operational Considerations in Global Health Modeling

Abstract

Epidemiological modeling and simulation can contribute cooperatively across multifaceted areas of biosurveillance systems. These efforts can be used to support real-time decision-making during public health emergencies and response operations. Robust epidemiological modeling and simulation tools are crucial to informing risk assessment, risk management, and other biosurveillance processes. The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) has sponsored the development of numerous modeling and decision support tools to address questions of operational relevance in response to emerging epidemics and pandemics. These tools were used during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the Ebola outbreaks in West Africa and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This perspective discusses examples of the considerations DTRA has made when employing epidemiological modeling to inform on public health crises and highlights some of the key lessons learned. Future considerations for researchers developing epidemiological modeling tools to support biosurveillance and public health operations are recommended.