Mideastmed.Org - A History Database In The Digital Humanities

MidEastMed, a research initiative funded by the European Research Council and led by Prof. Liat Kozma at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, establishes a comprehensive history of medicine in the Middle East and North Africa from 1830 to 1960, employing a transnational and multi-layered perspective that captures the interplay of global influences and regional specifics. This project methodically investigates the evolution of disease transmission, health infrastructure, and the medical profession by analyzing an extensive array of archival and published sources in multiple languages, thereby offering essential insights into the dynamics of public health policies shaped by the movements of people, knowledge, and resources. By focusing on five core areas—global disease vectors, international influences, regional health challenges, colonial impacts, and the role of medical professionals in national projects—MidEastMed aims to contribute to the understanding of historical and contemporary health issues within the region. The accompanying database, supported by the Israel Science Foundation and the ERC, facilitates scholarly research into the intricate networks of medical professionals and institutions, thus enhancing the study of medicine's evolution in the Middle East.