"Disease Detectives: Using Mathematics to Forecast the Spread of Infectious Diseases"

Our article for teens and preteens about modeling the spread of infectious diseases just came out in final form. Here are some details.

Title: Disease Detectives: Using Mathematics to Forecast the Spread of Infectious Diseases

Authors: Heather Z. Brooks, Unchitta Kanjanasaratool, Yacoub H. Kureh, and Mason A. Porter

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant changes in how people are currently living their lives. To determine how to best reduce the effects of the pandemic and start reopening communities, governments have used mathematical models of the spread of infectious diseases. In this article, we introduce a popular type of mathematical model of disease spread. We discuss how the results of analyzing mathematical models can influence government policies and human behavior, such as encouraging mask wearing and physical distancing to help slow the spread of a disease.