Population parameters

Age distribution

	Number of Individuals gives the total number of people in each age class.
	Following the structure of the contact matrix, we define the age groups of Children, Working adults and Elderly as follows: Children: up to 19 years old Working adults: 20 to 59 years old Elderly: 60 years and older whereby the term "Working adults" simply indicates the age group, but does not imply any distinction of working and non working adults of the given age.

Parameter settings

If the boundaries of the three age groups are interpreted differently, all the depending parameter values (see Cross-references) need to be checked carefully. If necessary, the parameter values must be adjusted to the newly defined age groups.

Cross-references

	The age distribution forms the basis of the contact matrix which indicates the frequency of contacts between individuals of the different age classes.
	Infected persons have - depending on their age group - different courses of disease as given by different disease duration, disease severity and case fatality.
	The age distribution is also very important in the social distancing section: Children are especially considered in closing of day care centers and schools whereas Working adults and Elderly are especially considered in cancelling of mass gathering events.
	As the program assumes that the age class Working adults indeed is the working population, the age distribution directly influences the total costs of work loss, as defined in the costs section.
	The age distribution also influences how many cases become so sick that they need to be hospitalized. Indirictly, this also influences the fraction of cases who die of influenza. On the other hand, the susceptibility against infection and the contagiousness of a case are not influenced by the risk factor.

Output

In the output graphs, the age classes are not depicted separately, but only sums over all ages are given.

Literature

Number of Individuals: Influenzapandemieplanung: Nationaler Infuenzapandemieplan. Bundesgesundheitsblatt - Gesundheitsforschung - Gesundheitsschutz 2005; 48: 356-390.

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