Opinion-driven risk perception and reaction in SIS epidemics

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Main Authors: Arango, Marcela Ordorica, Bizyaeva, Anastasia, Levin, Simon A., Leonard, Naomi Ehrich
Format: Preprint
Published: 2024
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author Arango, Marcela Ordorica
Bizyaeva, Anastasia
Levin, Simon A.
Leonard, Naomi Ehrich
author_facet Arango, Marcela Ordorica
Bizyaeva, Anastasia
Levin, Simon A.
Leonard, Naomi Ehrich
contents We present and analyze a mathematical model to study the feedback between behavior and epidemic spread in a population that is actively assessing and reacting to risk of infection. In our model, a population dynamically forms an opinion that reflects its willingness to engage in risky behavior (e.g., not wearing a mask in a crowded area) or reduce it (e.g., social distancing). We consider SIS epidemic dynamics in which the contact rate within a population adapts as a function of its opinion. For the new coupled model, we prove the existence of two distinct parameter regimes. One regime corresponds to a low baseline infectiousness, and the equilibria of the epidemic spread are identical to those of the standard SIS model. The other regime corresponds to a high baseline infectiousness, and there is a bistability between two new endemic equilibria that reflect an initial preference towards either risk seeking behavior or risk aversion. We prove that risk seeking behavior increases the steady-state infection level in the population compared to the baseline SIS model, whereas risk aversion decreases it. When a population is highly reactive to extreme opinions, we show how risk aversion enables the complete eradication of infection in the population. Extensions of the model to a network of populations or individuals are explored numerically.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2410_12993
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Opinion-driven risk perception and reaction in SIS epidemics
Arango, Marcela Ordorica
Bizyaeva, Anastasia
Levin, Simon A.
Leonard, Naomi Ehrich
Dynamical Systems
Physics and Society
Populations and Evolution
We present and analyze a mathematical model to study the feedback between behavior and epidemic spread in a population that is actively assessing and reacting to risk of infection. In our model, a population dynamically forms an opinion that reflects its willingness to engage in risky behavior (e.g., not wearing a mask in a crowded area) or reduce it (e.g., social distancing). We consider SIS epidemic dynamics in which the contact rate within a population adapts as a function of its opinion. For the new coupled model, we prove the existence of two distinct parameter regimes. One regime corresponds to a low baseline infectiousness, and the equilibria of the epidemic spread are identical to those of the standard SIS model. The other regime corresponds to a high baseline infectiousness, and there is a bistability between two new endemic equilibria that reflect an initial preference towards either risk seeking behavior or risk aversion. We prove that risk seeking behavior increases the steady-state infection level in the population compared to the baseline SIS model, whereas risk aversion decreases it. When a population is highly reactive to extreme opinions, we show how risk aversion enables the complete eradication of infection in the population. Extensions of the model to a network of populations or individuals are explored numerically.
title Opinion-driven risk perception and reaction in SIS epidemics
topic Dynamical Systems
Physics and Society
Populations and Evolution
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2410.12993