The IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health is dedicated to the pursuit of health for all people. We emphasize the prevention of disease and injury and recognize the interconnectedness of the physical environment and ecosystem to the health of the community. We strive to ensure that the interests of the public are represented in health policies and practices, and support activities that promote this comprehensive view.
The school is committed to the principles of equality, shared decision-making, and a focus on the social, biological, and environmental determinants of health, which are central tenets of healthy communities and social justice.
We embrace collaborative and participatory activities as a means of working collectively with other institutions and organizations in the community, across the state, nationally and internationally to ensure healthy communities and populations, a prerequisite for social justice.
While the traditional regulatory, legal, and legislative functions of public health remain as important as ever today, public health is dynamic and must respond in innovative ways to emerging challenges to world health.