The dynamic coupling mechanism of information and epidemic propagation in higher-order metapopulation networks

Empirical studies demonstrate that metapopulation networks effectively capture urban structural dynamics and population mobility patterns. However, the influence of complex information interactions on social contagion within such networks remains underexplored. To address this gap, we propose a novel two-layer higher-order metapopulation network model. The upper layer represents the information diffusion within a community network with patch structure, distinguishing between intra-patch and inter-patch contact modalities to refine both pairwise and higher-order information transmission mechanisms. The lower layer describes the spread of epidemics within metapopulation networks, incorporating the migration-interaction-return (MIR) process to capture the reaction-diffusion dynamics of individuals moving between patches. The dynamical equations of the coupled model were derived using the microscopic Markov chain approach (MMCA), and the theoretical results obtained were validated by Monte Carlo (MC) simulation experiments. Our findings reveal that inter-patch information contact exert a stronger influence on epidemic transmission than intra-patch information contact. Moreover, enhanced inter-patch interaction promotes information diffusion while simultaneously inhibiting epidemic spread. Furthermore, as network disassortative increases, the suppressive effect of information diffusion on epidemic transmission weakens, a trend that is especially pronounced in higher-order information interactions. Additionally, while higher-order interactions in epidemic transmission and individual migration facilitate disease spread, higher-order interactions in information diffusion and self-protection behaviors among aware individuals mitigate it. The findings provide relevance for future epidemic prevention and control strategies, such as enhancing the density of positive information dissemination within communities or strengthening inter-city information communication can be effective in suppressing infectious diseases.