Abstract
Abstract There is growing interest among urban health researchers in addressing complex problems using conceptual and computation models from the field of complex systems. Agent-based modeling (ABM) is one computational modeling tool that has received a lot of interest. However, many researchers remain unfamiliar with developing and carrying out an ABM, hindering the understanding and application of it. This paper first presents a brief introductory guide to carrying out a simple agent-based model. Then, the method is illustrated by discussing a previously developed agent-based model, which explored inequalities in diet in the context of urban residential segregation.
Highlights
Among urban health researchers, there is growing interest in conceptualizing complex problems using a system framework 1 and in using systems modeling tools to explore how components of a complex problem interact, are sustained or changed, and identify areas for intervention [2,3]
Not all questions posed within a system framework need to be answered using a systems science tool; they may BRIEF INTRODUCTORY GUIDE FOR AGENT-BASED MODELING S67 be better answered with statistical methods or qualitative approaches
Income was a proxy for other elements of socioeconomic status and it was an important trait in this model due to our interest in economic segregation
Summary
There is growing interest in conceptualizing complex problems using a system framework 1 and in using systems modeling tools to explore how components of a complex problem interact, are sustained or changed, and identify areas for intervention [2,3]. One tool that has been increasingly used to examine urban health issues is agent-based modeling (ABM) 4,5. ABM is able to accommodate high heterogeneity in agent characteristics and interactions between agents and environments, as well as features like dynamics, feedbacks and adaptation, which are impossible to represent in traditional statistical models [7,8]. Simulations can be used to explore dynamic scenarios involving diverse entities and settings such as the built and social environment, city agencies, legislative bodies, health services, individual residents and families. We use a previously constructed model 11 to illustrate the steps one can take when building a simple model This is only a brief guide; before starting a computational model, it is recommended that readers refer to comprehensive guides [9,12,13,14]
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