How infectious diseases and public policies affect people's health and local economies
The Health and Economic Impacts of Infectious Diseases and Policy Responses
This project builds a detailed model to show how outbreaks and government responses change health and economic outcomes for communities and different age groups.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11135401 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my point of view as someone living in a community, this work makes a computer model that links infections to jobs, income, and public policies so we can see how they influence each other. The model maps how disease spreads across places and social groups so that local policies in one area and behaviors in another are included. It also handles imperfect data on case counts and looks at how effects differ by age and other demographic groups. Researchers will use real data and simulations to compare policy choices and their likely health and economic consequences.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living in areas facing infectious outbreaks—especially older adults, frontline workers, and residents of hard-hit counties—are the populations most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to infectious diseases or who are not affected by public-health policies may not see direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the model could help policymakers choose actions that better protect health while reducing economic harm during outbreaks.
How similar studies have performed: Previous epidemic and economic models have informed public-health responses, but combining economic feedbacks, geosocial spread, imperfect incidence measures, and demographic detail is a newer and more comprehensive approach.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, UNITED STATES
- Ohio State University — Columbus, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weinberg, Bruce a — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Weinberg, Bruce a
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.