AGENT-BASED MODELING OF PUBLIC OPINION AND INDIVIDUAL DECISION-MAKING IN EPIDEMIC RESPONSE

This research explores how individual behavior influences the spread and control of infectious diseases. Two agent-based modeling studies were conducted: the first examined how opinion dynamics affect compliance with non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), and the second extended the model to include vaccine uptake and demographic diversity. Results highlight the critical role of early persuasion, media, and demographic factors in shaping public compliance. The findings offer insights for designing more effective public health policies, with implications for future disease outbreaks where human behavior plays a central role.