Mathematical models of epidemics are shaping decisions in public health.

But whom are we serving with our models?

In this talk, we review fundamental insights from epidemic theory and models of disease transmission.

We then place these insights within causal frameworks of health inequities.

We discuss assumptions of trickle-down public health and how easy it is to misrepresent “equity” and perpetuate stigma when interpreting findings from models.

Drawing on examples from the modeling of HIV, COVID, and mpox – we will ask ourselves – are we reducing or amplifying health inequities with our models?