The Institute�s report defined the mission of public health as:

�fulfilling society�s interest in assuring conditions in which people can be healthy. Public Health is distinguished from health care by its focus on community-wide concerns -- the public interest -- rather than the health interests of particular individuals or groups. It�s aim is to generate organized community effort to address public concerns about health by applying scientific and technical knowledge.� (IOM, 1988, p. 140)