Most epidemic models represent outbreaks of pathogens of humans, rather than plants or animals. (a) The topics of published studies in the epidemiological modelling journal Epidemics between 2015 and 2019. (b) The funding provided to research councils by the UK government in 2017/18. More funding is directed towards funders that support modelling studies of pathogens of humans rather than plants or animals. AHRC, Arts and Humanities Research Council; BBSRC, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council; EPSRC, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council; ESRC, Economic and Social Research Council; MRC, Medical Research Council; NERC, Natural Environment Research Council; STFC, Science and Technology Facilities Council. (Online version in colour.)