Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública

The INSP pursues an active research program, consistent with its mission, through which its faculty and students contribute to the knowledge base of the public health disciplines, including research directed at improving the practice of public health. Its research activities are focused on developing effective health policies, generating scientific knowledge for decision makers in the health sector and implementing interventions aimed at improving health system performance.

The INSP supports the development of more than 400 national and international research and service projects every year, all of which must adhere to the policies and procedures dictated by the Institute’s research, ethics and biosafety commissions responsible for evaluating all project proposals.

The INSP has 25 laboratories for research and educational activities. The laboratories are coordinated by various research centers.

Research Policies

All of the INSP’s research policies serve the Institute’s research mission to improve the health of the population by producing, disseminating and implementing scientific knowledge about public health. To ensure the relevance of the INSP’s research activities for current health priorities in Mexico, the Institute has formalized three basic commitments. Research activities should:

1) support health actions and policies;
2) be oriented toward producing scientific knowledge that helps reduce health inequities; and
3) establish strategies that support health sector efforts to achieve universal coverage for services.

Research Practices

• Conduct clinical, epidemiological and experimental research and studies related to basic technological development in the areas of biomedics and socio-medics in order to understand, prevent, diagnose and treat diseases, rehabilitate those affected, and promote health measures.
• Publish research results and disseminate technical and scientific information about advances in public health.
  Promote and host national and international meetings for scientific exchange as well as conferences for coordination and cooperation with similar institutions.
• Advise specialized research, teaching and service centers and public health institutions across the country.
• Promote actions to protect and promote health.
• In collaboration with the Ministry of Health (SSA), support activities to update data on the country’s general health situation.
• Study and design scientific research methods and techniques related to health.
• Conduct public health surveys across Mexico.
• Support epidemiological surveillance of infectious diseases and other existing and potential health problems in Mexico.
• Contribute to the development of diagnostic technology related to communicable diseases appropriate for national needs.
• Serve as a reference center for reporting on infectious diseases.

Community-based Research

Community-based research is a fundamental part of the INSP’s research program, including the student practicum experience, as well as an essential component of the SSA’s mission. All research centers develop projects that include the active participation of community members and diverse institutions.

Research Collaboration with Health Organizations

The INSP collaborates closely with national and international health organizations, as well as with the SSA, the state health systems and community-based organizations. With these organizations, the Institute develops research projects to generate knowledge, evaluate projects, test public health interventions, inform public policies and educate the general public about relevant results through mass media.

Research Used in the Design of Public Health Programs and Policies

INSP research has been instrumental in developing and refining numerous public policies in Mexico. INSP researchers participate in the design, analysis, evaluation and monitoring of public health in Mexico and the region. The evaluation of health programs and interventions has provided information for guiding community interventions and decision making for social programs across Mexico. The INSP has become a reference institution for the national health system for generating, disseminating, integrating and applying scientific knowledge to attend public health problems.

Electronic Information System for Research and Teaching (SIID)

The INSP has an online tool to support research activities, the Electronic Information System for Research and Teaching (SIID) (see https://siid.insp.mx/). The SIID serves as a clearinghouse for information about all ongoing research activities and offers functions that allow researchers to:

• Establish efficient procedures for recording and updating data on research activities.
• Review protocols developed by the Research, Ethics and Biosafety Commissions.
• Generate periodical reports solicited by the authorities (e.g., CONACyT, CCINSHAE) about research activities.
• Disseminate information about INSP research and findings in the community.
• Receive timely information to support incentives and awards programs for professor/researchers.