MPHI is a private, non-profit, 501(c)(3) public charity incorporated in the state of Michigan.

It seeks to improve public health in Michigan through increased collaboration among the Michigan Department of Public Health, the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Wayne State University, and other interested organizations to promote health, prevent disease, and enhance the quality of life through an organized program of policy, development, planning, scientific research, service demonstration, education, and training."

In April 1996, in a reorganization of state government, the Department of Public Health was merged with other agencies into the Michigan Department of Community Health.  Concurrently, MPHI's purview expanded to include all the functions of community health.  Today, the Department of Community Health encompasses the operations of yesterday's governmental units of public health, mental health, Medicaid, services to the aging, and drug control policy.

ACT 264, P.A.,1989

The department may establish a nonprofit corporation pursuant to nonprofit corporation act, Act No. 162 of Public Acts of 1982, being sections 450.2101 to 450.3192 of the Michigan Complied Laws.The purpose of the corporation shall be to plan, promote, and coordinate health services research with a public university or a consortium of public universities within the state.The corporation may research, evaluate and demonstrate all of the following.

• The cause, effects, extent, and nature of the illness and disability among all or particular group of the people of this state.
• The impact of personal illness and disability of the economy of this state and the well-being of all or a particular group of people of this state.
• Environmental, laboratory, social, and other health related issues
• The health knowledge and practices of the people of the state.
• The quality and availability of health resources in this state including, but not limited to, health care institutions and health professionals.
• The determinants of health and nutritional practices and status including, but not limited to, behaviors that are related to health.
• Access and use of health care services by all or a particular group of people of this state including, but not limited to, the use of ambulatory health care services. The access and use may be categorized by specialty and type of practice of the health professional or health facility providing the service.
• Health care cost and financing including, but not limited to, trend in health care  costs, sources of payments, and federal, state and local expenditures for health care services.
• Public Health policies and programs.
• Other issues considered appropriate by the board of directors of the corporation.

Public Health Code (Excerpt) Act 368 of 1978

333.21787 Michigan public health institute; consultation and contracts.

Sec. 21787.  The department may consult and work with the Michigan public health institute created under section 2611 in performing the department's regulatory and disciplinary duties under this article.  The department may also contract with the Michigan public health institute for performance of specific functions required or authorized by this article, if determined necessary by the director of the department.