PHFI challenges the conventional understanding of public health as the community extension of clinical medicine through its commitment, vision and leadership in health research. It has spearheaded evolution of the discourse in India along a more wholesome and multi-disciplinary path, integrating life sciences, quantitative sciences (such as epidemiology and biostatistics), social and behavioral sciences, economics, communication studies and others with public health.

Professionals here focus their research, training and community service expertise on understanding health needs and problems of populations. In-depth research, critical analysis, drawing from global experiences and academic collaborations enable PHFI to provide much-needed technical assistance to initiatives and policies that protect, promote and improve health and health systems.