The Public Health Institute of Iceland is made up of about 25 employees and was officially established in 2003 under the Ministry of Health and Social Security.  Its mission is to improve public knowledge of the determinants of health – social and environmental determinants, and lifestyle factors – and to seek to ensure that such knowledge is reflected in the attitudes and work of government, employers and other parties who influence the standard of living, health, and well-being of the people of Iceland.

The policies and functions of the institute are in accordance with the Icelandic National Health Plan to 2010 and the guidelines set down by the World Health Organization. The institute researches alcohol and drug abuse prevention, nutrition, accident prevention, mental health and physical activity, dental health, and tobacco use prevention.