National public health institutes
Encyclopedia
National public health institutes (NPHIs) are science-based governmental organizations that serve as a focal point for a country's public health
efforts, as well as a critical component of global disease prevention and response
systems. Among the better known NPHIs are the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
, the United Kingdom Health Protection Agency
, and the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention
.
Typical core functions of NPHIs include surveillance for diseases and injuries, as well as risk factors; epidemiologic investigations of health problems; public health research; and response to public health emergencies. Recent public health challenges, such as this year's outbreak of H1N1 influenza, may have significant impacts on the missions and structures of NPHIs. Although these functions are in many countries dispersed among several agencies, in recent years some countries have reorganized their public health systems to consolidate functions. For example, following the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome
(SARS) in 2003, the Canadian government created the Public Health Agency of Canada
in order to ensure a more efficient and effective response in future outbreaks.
Public health and environment
Public health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
efforts, as well as a critical component of global disease prevention and response
Global health
Global health is the health of populations in a global context and transcends the perspectives and concerns of individual nations. Health problems that transcend national borders or have a global political and economic impact, are often emphasized...
systems. Among the better known NPHIs are the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are a United States federal agency under the Department of Health and Human Services headquartered in Druid Hills, unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia, in Greater Atlanta...
, the United Kingdom Health Protection Agency
Health Protection Agency
The Health Protection Agency, or, in Welsh, Yr Asiantaeth Diogelu Iechyd is a statutory corporation. It is an independent UK organisation that was set up by the government in 2003 to protect the public from threats to their health from infectious diseases and environmental hazards...
, and the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention
The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention is an agency of the Ministry of Health of the People's Republic of China based in Beijing, China. It works to protect public health and safety by providing information to enhance health decisions, and it promotes health through partnerships...
.
Typical core functions of NPHIs include surveillance for diseases and injuries, as well as risk factors; epidemiologic investigations of health problems; public health research; and response to public health emergencies. Recent public health challenges, such as this year's outbreak of H1N1 influenza, may have significant impacts on the missions and structures of NPHIs. Although these functions are in many countries dispersed among several agencies, in recent years some countries have reorganized their public health systems to consolidate functions. For example, following the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome
Severe acute respiratory syndrome
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome is a respiratory disease in humans which is caused by the SARS coronavirus . Between November 2002 and July 2003 an outbreak of SARS in Hong Kong nearly became a pandemic, with 8,422 cases and 916 deaths worldwide according to the WHO...
(SARS) in 2003, the Canadian government created the Public Health Agency of Canada
Public Health Agency of Canada
The Public Health Agency of Canada is an agency of the Government of Canada that is responsible for public health, emergency preparedness, and response and infectious and chronic disease control and prevention...
in order to ensure a more efficient and effective response in future outbreaks.
International Association of National Public Health Institutes (IANPHI)
IANPHI is a member organization of NPHIs that currently has members from 61 countries. IANPHI helps link the NPHIs of the world, so that they can share knowledge and experiences, in addition to providing support for NPHI development in low-resources countries. The majority of funding for IANPHI comes from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.See also
- Burnet InstituteBurnet Instituteis an Australian not-for-profit, independent non-government organisation that aims to achieve better health for poor and vulnerable communities in Australia and overseas through research, education and public health....
for Public Health - Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors
- Instituto Oswaldo CruzInstituto Oswaldo CruzThe Oswaldo Cruz Foundation is a scientific institution for research and development in biomedical sciences located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, it is considered one of the world's main public health research institutions. It was founded by Dr...
(Brazil) - International Association of National Public Health InstitutesInternational Association of National Public Health InstitutesThe International Association of National Public Health Institutes is a member organization of government agencies working to improve national disease prevention and response. Based in Atlanta, Georgia and Helsinki, Finland, IANPHI is made up of 80 national public health institutes around the...
- National Institute of Public Health of Japan
- National Institutes of HealthNational Institutes of HealthThe National Institutes of Health are an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services and are the primary agency of the United States government responsible for biomedical and health-related research. Its science and engineering counterpart is the National Science Foundation...
, in the USA - National Public Health Institute of FinlandNational Public Health Institute of FinlandThe National Public Health Institute of Finland was a research and expert institute under the charged with the task of protecting and promoting health in Finland. KTL was founded in 1911; the final form was established in 1982 in order to promote public health in Finland.The institution had a...
- Netherlands National Institute for Public Health and the EnvironmentNetherlands National Institute for Public Health and the EnvironmentThe Netherlands National Institute for Public Health and the Environment , is a Dutch research institute that is an independent agency of the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport....
- Norwegian Institute of Public HealthNorwegian Institute of Public HealthThe Norwegian Institute of Public Health is a subordinate institution to the Ministry of Health and Care Services....
- Indian Institutes of Public Health
- People's Republic of China
Public health and environment
- Royal Institute of Public Health
- Royal Society for Public Health