Enhancing the use of geographic information systems for public health planning and decision-making in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region.

ABSTRACT

From distributing healthcare resources equitably to identifying disease outbreaks, most of the information needs of local health system decision-makers have a geographic component (1). Recognizing the value of geographic information systems for public health planning and decision-making, a 2007 resolution by the Regional Committee of the World Health Organization (WHO) Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) called upon Member States to develop institutional frameworks, policies, processes, and to provide the infrastructure and resources needed to support health mapping activities in EMR (2).