A systems approach to the prevention and control of emerging infectious diseases

It provides a comprehensive analysis, using COVID-19 in Northern Ireland as a case study.<br><br>Chapter 1 introduces key EIDs over the past two decades and discusses the challenges of managing these diseases in modern healthcare systems. Chapter 2 conducts a scoping review of existing literature on the role of systems modelling in enhancing EID management.

It lays the theoretical groundwork for applying systems thinking, which integrates multiple components and their interactions, using tools like causal loop diagrams and system dynamics models to address complex healthcare challenges.<br><br>Chapter 3 presents an ecological study examining the relationship between policy, public behaviour, and COVID-19’s progression. It reveals that stringent policies, coupled with public compliance, significantly reduce transmission rates, underscoring the critical role of cohesive policy and adherence.