Estimating county-level age group contact rates from time use data

“MIDAS is pleased to fund Drs. Jake Fisher and Yajuan Si as they use survey data to generate estimates on how people of different age groups and in different parts of Michigan are in contact with each other in public places, schools, workplaces and homes. The results will aid in reducing the spread of respiratory illnesses.”

-H.V. Jagadish, Director, MIDAS

Drs. Jacob Fisher and Yajuan Si (Institute for Social Research) are using survey data to generate estimates on how people of different age groups and in different parts of Michigan are in contact with each other in public places, schools, workplaces and homes.  Their results will provide critical information to policymakers on how to minimize both the spread of infection and economic disruption.

The MIDAS COVID-19 Propelling Original Data Science (PODS) grants were awarded on May 13th, 2020, each of the 7 teams received funding of up to $30,000 with projects starting immediately and expected to finish by the end of 2020. These projects demonstrate the resolve, expertise, and creativity of U-M data scientists facing a public health crisis. To learn more about the other projects please visit our COVID-19 PODS awards page.

We hope that the data we construct will help disease modelers understand and control the spread of respiratory illnesses, both for this pandemic and future ones.”

Jake Fisher

Our project will provide in time data-driven evidence about social contact patterns, and I’m committed to using statistics for the public good.”

Yajuan Si