title: On the use of simple analytic mathematical models of communicable diseases.
abstract: Complex simulation models of diseases are becoming widely used by researchers and planners. This paper shows how simple analytic models can explain some otherwise inexplicable aspects of the behaviour of both these complex models and of the diseases in the real world. A system for grouping communicable diseases on the basis of the mathematical representation of the disease aetiology is developed.
mesh_terms: D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000453:epidemiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D012552:Schistosomiasis / Q000453:epidemiology; D013742:Tetanus / Q000453:epidemiology; D014435:Typhoid Fever / Q000453:epidemiology