FOSS is essential in epidemiology for several reasons:
1. Accessibility: Researchers and public health officials across the globe, regardless of their funding levels, can access powerful tools without financial barriers. 2. Transparency: Open source software allows for the peer review and validation of computational methods, which is critical for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of epidemiological models. 3. Collaboration: It facilitates global collaboration, enabling experts from different regions to contribute to and improve upon existing tools and methods. 4. Customization: Users can modify software to meet specific research needs, which is particularly useful in dealing with unique datasets or regional health issues.
