Borders in Public Health and Mathematical Epidemiology

In Mathematical Epidemiology, infectious diseases are studied using mathematical and computational tools, and mainly focus on infectious disease characteristics within localized populations and geographic regions. However, infectious diseases are not confined to small regions, and rather cross borders, affecting multiple populations, jurisdictions, and governments. In this workshop we will address the mathematical modelling of infectious diseases across borders, at the intersection of mathematical epidemiology and public health. The workshop will provide an important platform for knowledge translation and discussion, enabling (1) the identification of key questions in public health policy that need to be addressed where borders play an important role, and (2) the identification of mathematical models and methods that can be utilized to address key questions, and inform/advance public health policy. The workshop will bring together Canadian and international mathematical epidemiologists and public health decision-makers that work at the forefront of national and international infectious disease research. An important component of this workshop is the inclusion of infectious disease modellers that work in local, federal, and global health organizations, which will allow for important discussion on key issues to do with borders at these regional levels.