The effect of role-based resource allocation on epidemic dynamics

Abstract

We propose a coupled dynamical model of resource allocation and epidemic spread, inspired by the hierarchical structure of real-world therapeutic resource allocation. In this framework, network nodes are assigned distinct roles as either resource allocators or resource recipients. As the average number of links per recipient from allocators increases, the prevalence exhibits one of four distinct response patterns across conditions: monotonically increasing, monotonically decreasing, U-shaped trend, or a sudden decrease with large fluctuations. A mechanistic analysis uncovers three central insights: (i) a trade-off between efficient resource allocation and infection risk faced by allocators, (ii) the critical need to avoid resource redundancy when therapeutic efficiency is high, and (iii) the emergence of cascade-induced bistability in the coupled system.