The Institute's mission statement

Public health work centres around health promotion and disease prevention activities in the population, and public health is an expression of the health status of the population - taking into account both the level and distribution of health. The institute's role is to work with both disease prevention and health promotion.

Public Health Sciences is an interdisciplinary field which studies the various factors affecting the health of the population, the effects of policy measures and the cross-sectoral impact on society and different population groups of public health work.

Based on this, it is essential that the Institute's approach to knowledge is based on science and proven experience, on an interdisciplinary perspective, and on an holistic approach to health and its determinants.

Health is a key factor for sustainable societal development. The Institute's approach to health is that it is a multidimensional and multifaceted concept subject to constant discussion and development. Achieving health has to do not merely with the absence of disease or disability, but also with well-being in several dimensions. Health has, among other things, physical, psychological and social aspects.

The Swedish National Institute of Public Health develops and conveys knowledge for better health

By "develops" we mean:

• monitoring, evaluating, processing and compiling up-to-date knowledge and activities
• collaborating and achieving a dialogue on public health issues with stakeholders locally, regionally, nationally and internationally
• developing methods and strategies
• making available current knowledge about the health of the population and its distribution.

By "conveys" we mean:

• advocating for health issues in society
• implementing actions to ensure that the health of the population is considered in all societal development
• providing data as a ground for decision-making
• communicating relevant knowledge
• guiding and exercising supervision within the framework of relevant legislation.

By "better" we mean:

• working for the continuous improvement of health in the population
• striving for fair and equal health.