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Review
. 2012 Apr:33:357-76.
doi: 10.1146/annurev-publhealth-031210-101222. Epub 2012 Jan 3.

Systems science methods in public health: dynamics, networks, and agents

Douglas A Luke  1 , Katherine A Stamatakis
Affiliations
Review

Systems science methods in public health: dynamics, networks, and agents

Douglas A Luke et al. Annu Rev Public Health. 2012 Apr.

Abstract

Complex systems abound in public health. Complex systems are made up of heterogeneous elements that interact with one another, have emergent properties that are not explained by understanding the individual elements of the system, persist over time, and adapt to changing circumstances. Public health is starting to use results from systems science studies to shape practice and policy, for example in preparing for global pandemics. However, systems science study designs and analytic methods remain underutilized and are not widely featured in public health curricula or training. In this review we present an argument for the utility of systems science methods in public health, introduce three important systems science methods (system dynamics, network analysis, and agent-based modeling), and provide three case studies in which these methods have been used to answer important public health science questions in the areas of infectious disease, tobacco control, and obesity.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Complementary strengths and weaknesses of various study designs, based on McGrath’s 3-Horned Dilemma (100).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Sexual and disease status network of 40 men with HIV/AIDS (9).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Analysis approaches for basic and advanced network analysis.
Figure 4
Figure 4
ISIS System Dynamics Model for Tobacco Control (113).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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