Application of geographical sciences and technologies to investigate health problems in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

Recent developments in the geographical sciences and technologies, namely geographical epidemiology, geographical information systems, global positioning systems and spatial data analysisbrings about a unique opportunity to investigate the role of “place” in human health in a scientific manner. The aim of the present communication is to open a discussion about the application of these advances to study the geography of public health problems within the Eastern Mediterranean Region of the World Health Organization.