Products of Compartmental Models in Epidemiology

Abstract: In this paper, we show that many structured epidemic models may be described using a straightforward product structure. Such products, derived from products of directed graphs, may represent useful refinements including geographic and demographic structure, age structure, gender, risk groups, or immunity status. Extension to multi-strain dynamics, i.e. pathogen heterogeneity, is also shown to be feasible in this framework. Systematic use of such products may aid in model development and exploration, can yield insight, and could form the basis of a systematic approach to numerical structural sensitivity analysis.