����������������������������������������������������������
discussion guide rather than as a set of rules regulating what is appropriate for policy analyses . It is presented as a starting point for analyzing outcomes in the context of many negotiation points needed to be conducted before the final policy can be proposed and enacted .
The third section includes papers on complexity and policy simulations . Kaplan and Galea argue that questions concerning social determinants of population health refer to complex systems that cannot be reduced into their component parts . They claim that complex systems and social determinants of health are unavoidably linked , and that understanding this linkage can advance “ our understanding of the potential for neighborhood-based policies to reduce racial / ethnic disparities in body mass index .”
Chernicoff ������ present a model of ethanol market dynamics in an effort to understand the role of consumer perception in ethanol market growth . Unlike previous models that limited consumers to a single fuel choice per vehicle , their system dynamics model “ applies to super octane ethanol blend fuel vehicles encompassing unfavorable word of mouth .” Their results show that “ removal of potential consumers from the market due to unfavorable word of mouth can mitigate or overwhelm marketing and change virtuous growth to a vicious reinforcement leading to market collapse .”
Finally , McPhee-Knowles assesses manufactured risk of foodborne diseases in restaurant inspections using agent-based modeling . The model demonstrates “ opportunities for improving the transparency of current inspection systems by disclosing inspection scores .” McPhee-Knowles conclusion is that giving consumers access to restaurant inspection scores results in a lower variation of the number of sick consumers .
The future issues of the journal will continue to offer a blend of theoretical advancements , practical applications , and model discussions . Some of the issues will have a special focus , opting to emphasize a specific aspect of one of these three elements . In addition , the editors intend to eventually introduce a requirement that published papers will have to be accompanied with an electronic version of the model and the data set used in model evaluation , in order to encourage verification and cross-research collaboration .
In order to be successful , we must secure your participation . We are looking forward to your ideas for special issues , data and model repository , Web site development , and other ways of engaging researchers in this exciting field .
Mirsad ���������� University of North Carolina at Charlotte
2