Incorporating social vulnerability in infectious disease mathematical modelling: a scoping review.
Megan NaidooWhitney ShephardInnocensia KambeweNokuthula MtshaliSky CopeFelipe Alves RubioDavide RasellaPublished in: BMC medicine (2024)
Given the importance of equitable and effective infectious disease management, there is potential to further the field. Our findings demonstrate that social vulnerability is not considered holistically. There is a focus on incorporating routine demographic indicators but important cultural and social behaviours that impact health outcomes are excluded. It is crucial to develop models that foreground social vulnerability to not only design more equitable interventions, but also to develop more effective infectious disease control and elimination strategies. Furthermore, this study revealed the lack of transparency around data sources, inconsistent reporting, lack of collaboration with local experts, and limited studies focused on modelling cultural indicators. These challenges are priorities for future research.