PhilSci Archive

Reviewing the Reproduction Number R in Covid-19 Models

Amoretti, Maria Cristina and Lalumera, Elisabetta (2022) Reviewing the Reproduction Number R in Covid-19 Models. Philosophy of Medicine, 3 (1). pp. 1-16. ISSN 2692-3963

[img]
Preview
Text
Amoretti&Lalumera-Final.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

Download (311kB) | Preview

Abstract

Most of the epidemiological models of the Covid-19 pandemic contain the reproduction number (R) as a parameter. In this article we focus on some shortcomings regarding its role in driving health policies and political decisions. First, we summarize what R is and what it is used for. Second, we introduce a three-question matrix for the evaluation of any construct or parameter within a model. We then review the main literature about R to highlight some of its shortcomings and apply to them our three-question matrix. Finally, we argue that these shortcomings are important for an epistemic and political evaluation of R.


Export/Citation: EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL
Social Networking:
Share |

Item Type: Published Article or Volume
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Amoretti, Maria Cristinacristina.amoretti@unige.it0000-0003-2892-577X
Lalumera, Elisabettaelisabetta.lalumera@unibo.it0000-0002-0345-0838
Keywords: Epidemiological models Covid-19 Reproduction number
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Medicine > Epidemiology
Depositing User: Professor Alex Broadbent
Date Deposited: 26 Sep 2022 19:13
Last Modified: 26 Sep 2022 19:13
Item ID: 21208
Journal or Publication Title: Philosophy of Medicine
Publisher: University Library System, University of Pittsburgh
Official URL: https://philmed.pitt.edu/philmed/article/view/78
DOI or Unique Handle: 10.5195/pom.2022.78
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Medicine > Epidemiology
Date: 27 April 2022
Page Range: pp. 1-16
Volume: 3
Number: 1
ISSN: 2692-3963
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/21208

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Altmetric.com

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item