National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanita - ISS) is the leading technical and scientific public body of the Italian National Health Service. The institute conducts scientific research in a wide variety of fields, from cutting-edge molecular and genetic research to population-based studies of risk factors for disease and disability. Research priorities are based on those set forth in the National Health Plan. An important activity of the institute is certification of the chemical and biological purity of drugs and vaccines, as well as inspection and quality control of medical and diagnostic devices and equipment, food products and packaging. It monitors trends in disease, mortality and other health factors and provides technical support for health-related environmental surveys and for investigations of epidemics and other public health problems at national, regional and local level.

The institute plans, implements and evaluates training activities designed to address the needs of the National Health Service. The topics addressed include health service management and evaluation, epidemiology and biostatistics, training methods, laboratory techniques, diseases control and priority public health issues, and health promotion.  The institute also plans international health projects. It actively promotes cooperation at three different levels of involvement:

• Scientific partnerships with industrialized countries
• Scientific and development projects in partnership with economies in transition
• Development partnerships in Africa and countries in turmoil, where humanitarian and technical assistance is provided. is to monitor the National Health Service and safeguard the nation’s health