Feasible and ethical allocation of intervention resources for infectious diseases using linear programming

Abstract

In this work, we demonstrate that the consideration of a fixed epidemic and the use of linear programming can be an effective tool for designing rollout strategies for infectious disease interventions. Specifically, we argue that the approach can be more flexible, more amenable to detailed allocation plans and more in line with the way that public policy decisions are made than standard optimal control allocations. We also show how feasibility and ethical constraints can be incorporated into resource allocations.
 As an application, we consider the initial rollout of Treatment as Prevention (TasP) resources for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) in South Africa that began within the last decade. Going back to TasP’s initial rollout allows us to demonstrate the strengths of this approach.