Single Patch and Metapopulation Frameworks for Integrating Infectious Disease

Travel has become increasingly easier over the last century. While this has proved crucial for the movement of ideas and goods, it also brings with it the risk of speeding the spread of infectious disease. One method of modeling this is through multipatch metapopulation dynamical systems. Since widespread infectious disease is known to be reinforced by poverty in the developing world (poverty traps), we modeled capital using a Solow-Swan model. This work suggests that improving economic conditions and modifying the extreme values of disease transmission and recovery should be the focus of health agencies when they are trying to lessen the levels of endemic disease and decrease the stability of this endemic state.