Unit
The Unite du Prof. Salathe, part of the School of Life Sciences at EPFL, focuses on Digital Epidemiology, a field that leverages novel data sources such as digital traces from modern communication and electronic devices to study the dynamics of health and disease in human populations. By analyzing the digital footprints left by individuals, the unit aims to identify the distribution, incidence, and causes of diseases, ultimately improving disease prevention strategies. Research at the unit explores the potential of using digital data to track disease outbreaks, estimate influenza activity levels, and assess vaccination sentiments during pandemics. Additionally, the unit investigates the impact of social networks on disease spread and health behaviors, particularly focusing on how behaviors diffuse through online platforms like Twitter and Facebook, influencing vaccination rates and disease dynamics.