Epidemiology

Recognizing the importance of epidemiological inputs in mental health care systems and delivery process, and its increasing role in understanding the Brain – Mind –Behaviour axis, the Department of Epidemiology was established at NIMHANS in 1987. Since then, the department has worked in bridging the gap in the epidemiological understanding of Mental – Neurological – and Substance use disorders, Injuries and Non-communicable Diseases in India and Low and Middle Income Countries. In consonance with the goals and objectives of the institute the departmental work has focused on research, training, service delivery and policy strengthening.

In 2002, recognizing the departmental contributions and future prospects, it was recognized as a  WHO Collaborating Centre for Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion (one of the 3 centres in South East Asia). The centre works in the areas of Road traffic Injuries, traumatic Brain Injury, suicide Prevention, Violence prevention and work place injuries (For more details, visit………).

Translating research to action is one of the felt need and requirement in India and all other Low and Middle Income Countries. Undoubtedly, this requires a larger public health approach and strengthening public health systems. This has been felt more strongly in policies and programmes in the areas of mental, neurological and substance use disorders and injuries, and even Non-communicable diseases as well.

Realizing this need and the contributions of department and the WHO centre over time, the department was elevated as “ Centre for Public Health “ on 27th Nov 2012 with support from Ministry of Health and family Welfare , Government of India. The aim is to develop, support and strengthen a strong public health response and to nurture public health principles in health care policies and programmes with a focus on mental health, injury prevention and Non-communicable disease prevention and care.

 The centre has several activities in the domains of epidemiological and public health research, Capacity strengthening and human resource development, policy and programmes, advocacy using evidence based and data driven approaches. A Public Health Observatory in a district population of 1.5 million has been established to support activities that can generate evidence and data, develop programmes, provide inputs to policies, engage with communities and policy makers and translate research to action.

In this process, we collaborate and work with number of partners at local, regional, national and international levels. In this journey that started several years ago and which will continue for the years to come, we strongly believe in “Finding Solutions Together”.  Read on to know more …………..