Mathematical Biology Seminar: Carlos Castillo-Chavez (Arizona State)

This presentation starts with a quick epidemiological overview that puts emphasis on neglected diseases and health disparities in the context of developing and/or poor nations. The primary emphasis is however on Tuberculosis (TB). A review of mathematical models and results on issues related to the transmission dynamics and control of TB, under various degrees of complexity is provided. The presentation continues with a discussion on the relationship between urban growth and TB decline in the USA. The observations are supported using demographic and TB epidemiological time series that capture the observed patterns of disease prevalence in growing urban centers in the States of Massachusetts and a large aggregate of cities in the USA, over a long window in time.