The rapidly growing field of three-dimensional software modeling of the Earth holds promise for applicationsin the geospatial health sciences. Easy-to-use, intuitive virtual globe technologies such as Google Earth™ enable scien-tists around the world to share their data and research results in a visually attractive and readily understandable fash-ion without the need for highly sophisticated geographical information systems (GIS) or much technical assistance. Thispaper discusses the utility of the rapid and simultaneous visualization of how the agents of parasitic diseases are dis-tributed, as well as that of their vectors and/or intermediate hosts together with other spatially-explicit information.The resulting better understanding of the epidemiology of infectious diseases, and the multidimensional environmentin which they occur, are highlighted. In particular, the value of Google Earth™, and its web-based pendant GoogleMaps™, are reviewed from a public health view point, combining results from literature searches and experiencesgained thus far from a multidisciplinary project aimed at optimizing schistosomiasis control and transmission surveil-lance in sub-Saharan Africa. Although the basic analytical capabilities of virtual globe applications are limited, we con-clude that they have considerable potential in the support and promotion of the geospatial health sciences as a user-friendly, straightforward GIS tool for the improvement of data collation, visualization and exploration. The potentialof these systems for data sharing and broad dissemination of scientific research and results is emphasized.