[Spatial turn : Opportunity, challenge and methodological momentum for geographical health research]

The (re)-discovery of the spatial dimension in many sciences has been guided for some time under the designation "spatial turn". Immense progress in geographic information sciences (GIS), global positioning systems (GPS), remote sensing and computer-aided cartography, in addition to geostatistical methods such as spatial distribution analysis and trend analysis, multi-level analysis, spatial data-mining and agent-based modelling, has created entirely new opportunities for spatial analysis and the modelling of spatial, health-relevant processes. These methods are increasingly being employed in epidemiology, public health and healthcare research.In the fields of cultural and social sciences, "spatial turn" refers to a paradigm shift that recognizes that geographical space also has a social and cultural meaning. This spatial conception considers space not only as an empty container, but also as a result of social processes. The Euclidean space is extended by socially and culturally shaped spatial perceptions and constructions. The "spatial turn" as a paradigm shift is not limited to the fact that space itself becomes an object of advanced investigation methods. It is instead about approaching objects of research with spatial categories.In light of the "spatial turn", geographical health research is currently facing great opportunities, but also a double challenge: on the one hand, recognizing, mediating and making meaningful use of the new methodological possibilities. On the other hand, and in line with its self-conception as a part of the medical humanities, it is challenged to implement the "spatial turn" in its social and cultural-scientific dimension, to go beyond stereotypical reception and to meet the paradigmatic significance of "spatial turn".