Who is PHI?

The Public Health Institute (PHI) is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting health, well-being and quality of life for people throughout California, across the nation and around the world. As one of the largest and most comprehensive public health organizations in the nation, we are at the forefront of research and innovations to improve the efficacy of public health statewide, nationally and internationally.

Values

Health is a fundamental human right.

Just societies ensure equitable health outcomes for everyone.

Vision

Healthy communities where individuals reach their highest potential.

Mission

Public Health Institute generates and promotes research, leadership and partnerships to build capacity for strong public health policy, programs, systems and practices.

Principles

Accountability
Leadership and creativity in individuals and institutions
Cross-sector thinking
Diverse partnerships throughout the world
Innovation
Evidence-based public health

Goals

Strengthen public health engagement and leadership
Advance sustainable global health solutions
Strengthen public health systems, services and research
Advance policy to improve social determinants of health
Diversify and strengthen funding base to ensure long-term impact
Deliver operational excellence to PHI programs

Our Approach: Creating Innovative and Creative Linkages

We do not subscribe to a top-down approach to managing creative people. As a result, we attract some of the best and most creative thinkers in the field of public health. By centralizing most administrative details, we give investigators and project managers the freedom to explore new questions, forge new relationships, and develop new solutions to emerging public health challenges.

Our roles are varied: initiator, fiscal sponsor, incubator, partner, and collaborator.

Throughout the year, we work closely with our program leaders to explore innovative strategies for cross-sector solutions and community-driven research — the hallmarks of our approach.

Our Services: Providing Experience and Expertise

Our central management team is made up of highly qualified professionals with extensive nonprofit and business experience within the field of public health. Since our inception in 1964, we have handled an impressive array of projects ranging from simple contracts to large, multi-year, multi-site programs with national impact.

We provide support for programs, including

Resource development and planning,
Grant and contract management,
Human resources administration,
Financial and accounting services, and
In-house counsel

Click here for a copy of our global health brochure.

Our Philosophy: Working Collaboratively to Change the Way People Think About Health

Whether as a partner, convener, researcher, or advocate, we believe our work serves as a catalyst for change.

For 40 years, our philosophy of public health has acknowledged the complex web of factors that contribute to problems like cancer, poor nutrition, violence, asthma or AIDS, and has recognized the integral role that all institutions and sectors play in promoting healthy choices and creating healthy environments.

In fact, we are pioneers in this holistic approach. The best way to make change happen is to bring together people and institutions with common interests and, sometimes, different points of view, to give them seats at the table to work out collaborative solutions.

Our programs include both inspiring leaders and diverse teams that involve the expertise of communities. From health officials to grassroots organizers, and marketing experts to nurses, our programs consistently demonstrate that everyone has a role to play in ensuring the public's health.

Our Diversity of Focus

Spanning a broad range of interest areas within public health and conducting a variety of types of work, our programs and projects add to the growing body of knowledge critical to our mission.

Major Areas of Interest

Locally and globally, PHI shares evidence, promotes prevention and builds community in a broad range of public health areas, including:

Alcohol, Tobacco and Substance Abuse
Chronic Diseases: Asthma, Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular and Tuberculosis
Climate Change and Public Health
Communicable and Infectious Diseases, including HIV/AIDS
Community Health
Disability
Environmental Health
Family Planning and Reproductive Health
Genetics
Global Health
Health Policy Research
Healthy Aging
Leadership Development
Maternal & Child Health
Media Advocacy
Mental Health
Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Prevention
Occupational Health
Organizational Development
Program Evaluation
Social & Behavioral Science
Technology in Health & Aging