Institute Of Public Health

The organisation conducts research on chronic conditions, including non-communicable diseases, their prevention, and their impact on public health policies. It examines how various factors, including lifestyle, genetics, and social determinants of health, contribute to the rise of chronic conditions. Its focus extends to the influence of commercial entities on this epidemic and the corresponding policy responses. The organisation aims to delve into concepts such as 'social determinants of health' and 'health-in-all policy' to inform its research and promote a holistic approach to managing chronic conditions through public policies and intersectoral actions.

The Institute of Public Health, Bengaluru, offers competency-based eLearning courses in public health. These courses aim to enhance participants' knowledge and skills in specific areas of public health. Some popular courses include Implementation Research, Good Health Research Practices, Research Methods, Health Financing, Scientific Writing, and Public Health Management. These courses are delivered 100% online, ensuring accessibility to a wide audience.

Each course varies in duration from 3 to 5 months, with a study commitment of 3-4 hours per week. Participants receive tutor guidance, have opportunities for live interactions with subject matter experts, engage in peer learning, and can access the courses via the Moodle mobile app. Gamification elements add fun to the learning process.

The courses have a high completion rate, and participants find them extremely useful in their understanding of public health research. Upon completion, participants receive certificates.

IPH, Bengaluru, as an academic research organisation, focuses on strengthening health systems and promoting policy and system-level changes to enhance public health. It engages with policymakers, utilizes various media channels, and adopts a rights-based approach to health. This approach involves complex knowledge translation and collaboration with multiple stakeholders from diverse sectors. To bridge the gap between researchers and policymakers, IPH hosts a National conference, fostering dialogues that have led to significant policy impacts.

These impacts include support for tobacco control measures, such as implementing national tobacco control laws and regulations on chewing tobacco products and taxation. Additionally, IPH has contributed to road safety initiatives, including the Karnataka state Good Samaritan Act and the Motor Vehicle Amendment Bill.

IPH, Bengaluru conducts research in the field of Health Services with a focus on understanding the challenges in healthcare organisations and equitable service delivery. Its research adopts a systems perspective and aims to build a foundation of practical innovations and interventions. The goal is to strengthen the integrated delivery of healthcare services, prioritizing person-centred care at decentralized healthcare levels. It draws inspiration from the Primary Health Care concept, emphasizing accessibility, community participation, affordability, and self-reliance in healthcare, as outlined in the Alma Ata Declaration of 1978. Its research aligns with realizing these principles in practice.

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Programme in Public Health at IPH, Bengaluru is a research-intensive programme designed to be completed in a minimum of three years. It centers on original research with the expectation of peer-reviewed publications during the research period. The coursework is customized to individual needs and aligns with the UGC choice-based credit system, where one credit equals one hour of teaching or two hours of practical/field work weekly. Participants must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours of coursework, which encompasses essential courses and a selection of coursework pertinent to their PhD research area.