The mission of MPHI is to maximize positive health conditions in populations and communities through collaboration, scientific inquiry, and applied expertise which:

• carry the voice of communities to health policy makers, scientists, purchasers, and funders;
• advance the application of scientific health practices in communities; and
• advance community capacity to improve health and reduce disparities among population groups and geographic areas.

Strategic directions to pursue this mission:

1. Place priority on science that has potential to bend community health trends into positive directions.
2. Place priority on projects that advance community capacity to improve health status and to reduce disparities in health status among population sub-groups.
3. Develop MPHI's role in advocating for community health improvement, especially as conduit for effective communication between communities and government, funders or academia.

Values

• collaboration and inclusiveness among MPHI, government, communities, and institutions in approaching matters of the public's health
• state-of-the-art research, education, and demonstration as vehicles for advancing health practice
• leadership and service for the benefit of community, rather than to advance institutions, partners, or staff
• prevention of disease and promotion of health
• Ethical behavior in all scientific, professional, and interpersonal matters
• quality, professionalism, and integrity in the work we do, the people we hire, and the workplace we create
• innovation and continuous improvements in the workplace, as our assurance of maintaining our responsiveness and utility to our clients.

Vision

MPHI's vision is to be a unique public trust which will enable communities to apply state-of-the-art community health practices.

Among the Institute's staff are more that 185 professionals - 70 with masters and doctoral degrees - including researchers, data analysts, evaluators, and scientists trained in a broad array of health fields.

With close ties to the academic, government, and health-care provider communities, the Institute takes full advantage of the depth and diversity of Michigan's entire health research community.  As a result, it often tackles projects of a scope that would be difficult for any of its member institutions to attempt on an individual basis.

A unique resource of MPHI is our large complement of professional staff who have extensive experience in community-based work.  Our staff has credibility with communities, and often serves as an intermediary between foundation or government funders and the community.   

MPHI is a unique blend of public and private sector resources working together toward a common goal which is to improve the health of Michigan's citizens.  We are governed by a board of 12 directors, representing government, our 3 partner universities, foundations, and others.

Nationally, MPHI is one of nineteen collaborative research and development institutes in the field of community health.  Further, it is one of a select few that are pre-qualified, by virtue of a contract with the federal Health Care Financing administration, to bid on high priority projects related to improving health care in the U.S.  We are also a prequalified information technology vendor for the Michigan Department of Management and Budget.