Institute Profile

With nearly 800 employees, INSP has become one of the largest public health institutions in the developing world and is the leader for improving health in Mexico. INSP produces information for policy and program development in Mexico and trains public health practitioners for multidisciplinary research. The institute focuses on biostatistics, clinical epidemiology, environmental health, epidemiology, infectious diseases, infectious vectorborne diseases, health administration, health economics, health systems, nutrition, reproductive health, and social and behavioral science. The institute’s major departments are:

• Center for Infectious Disease Research
• Center for Health Systems Research
• Center for Population Health Research
• Center for Nutrition and Health Research
• Center for Assessment and Surveys Research
• Regional Center for Public Health
• Research Center for Information on Public Health Decisions

One of INSP’s major accomplishments in 2008 was a study illustrating the impact of socioeconomic factors and increased awareness on breast cancer mortality. The study identified risk factors through mammographic patterns, C-peptide, and growth factors.  Also in 2008, INSP played a large role in passing landmark anti-tobacco legislation that protects citizens from breathing cigarette smoke in public spaces.