System Dynamics Models for Public Health and Health Care Policy

Dear Colleagues,

The system dynamics (SD) approach has been applied to issues of public health and health care since the 1970s, with an increasing publication rate since 2000, including hundreds of articles as well as a number of books. A recent systematic review (Darabi and Hosseinichimeh 2020) found a roughly even split between studies of specific diseases (both infectious and non-infectious), health care organizations, and regional population health.

Most of these published studies involve simulation modeling and quantification, but some stop at the development of causal loop diagrams (or system maps) based on the literature and expert knowledge. In either case, SD studies attempt to explain a problem—and its potential solution—in terms of its inherent stock–flow structures and behavioral feedback loops that operate continuously and shape trends over years or decades.

COVID-19 has been an important recent focus, of course. SD makes it possible to model the behavioral dynamics responsible for multiple waves of disease over time, as well as asking what types of policies can best balance COVID-19’s various health and social repercussions. We hope to publish more such important work on COVID-19 in our Special Issue.

However, COVID-19 is not our sole focus, and we hope to publish exciting new SD application work on a variety of topics, such as:

• Health disparities;
• Social determinants of health;
• Community health and well-being;
• Public health and health care in developing nations;
• Health insurance and payment approaches;
• Comparative health systems;
• Mental health issues in adolescents and adults;
• Alzheimer’s dementia;
• Cancer prevention and treatment;
• Overuse or undersupply of medical technologies.

We also welcome papers that discuss modeling methodology, such as improved methods for data use and model testing, and their practical application to health-related issues.

Papers should communicate clearly and concisely and present strong evidence supporting a model and its findings. Even qualitative mapping studies must rest on some numerical evidence demonstrating the magnitude and history of the problem being addressed. 

Dr. Jack Homer
Gary B. Hirsch
Guest Editors

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