The five case studies from Egypt, Morocco, Pakistan, Sudan and Tunisia presented in this publication provide a brief overview of the formidable health challenges faced in urban areas in the Region. The preliminary evidence presented by these studies provides a powerful argument for city planners, municipal authorities, nongovernmental organizations and civil society in their efforts to improve urban health. It is intended to be used as an advocacy tool to sensitize policy-makers and parliamentarians to urban health issues and influence them to make positive changes. It underscores the need for intersectoral collaborative action by governments, health development partners, United Nations agencies, nongovernmental organizations, medical professionals, and civil society.