National Network of Public Health Institutes (NNPHI) is an association of public health organizations, research centers, and affiliated organizations. NNPHI has a core membership of more than 40 state-level public health institutes that represent a total of $2.2 billion in combined funding. The organization conducts research, hosts conferences, and shares resources pertaining to public health research and public-health policies such as tobacco control and nutrition. The NNPHI bills itself as the “go-to” source on best practices regarding population health and the social determinants of health. ¹

Background

National Network of Public Health Institutes was formed in 2001 as a forum for public health institutes, which are nonprofit organizations that receive a mix of taxpayer and private funding and that lead various public health campaigns. The organization was formed share resources so that state-level public health institutes could coordinate public health campaigns. ²

The organization bills itself as a resource regarding the social determinants of health, which are described as factors in public health that are attributed to race and/or socioeconomic background. The group provides technical assistance to member organizations as well as research, fundraising, program development, and other advisory services. ³

Activities

National Network of Public Health Institutes hosts multiple annual conferences and provides various resources and research so that state and regional public health organizations can coordinate activities and public health campaigns. The organization’s research focuses include behavioral health, chronic disease, healthy eating, obesity prevention, tobacco control, and “health equity.” ⁴

NNPHI has placed an increased focus on “health equity” and “systemic racism.” Topics of presentations and panels at the NNPHI’s 2022 annual meeting included promoting policies creating “health equity zones,” and a “Public Health Learning Agenda for Systems Change.” ⁵

One breakout session at the NNPHI 2022 meeting centered around the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) providing funding to regional public health training centers to develop a “Racial Justice Competency Model for Public Health Professionals.” The description of the event stated that “Structural racism has impacted health outcomes and opportunities for generations. It is imperative for state and local health departments to understand their role in combating racial injustice to best provide essential public health services to the communities they serve.” ⁶

Funding

National Network of Public Health Institutes receives a mix of funding from government grants and private funding. In 2020, for example, NNPHI received a $300,000 grant for its National Umbrella Cooperative Agreement from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health to “address the lack of resources and data for identifying health disparities in minority populations.” ⁷

NNPHI also hosts an annual “National Conference on Tobacco or Health” that is funded in part by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). ⁸

The organization’s “Modular Guide for Developing and Thriving as a Public Health Institute” was created with funding from the left-of-center Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. ⁹

1. “About NNPHI.” National Network of Public Health Institutes. Accessed July 16, 2022. https://nnphi.org/about-nnphi/
2. “NNPHI Booklet.” National Network of Public Health Institutes. Accessed July 16, 2022. https://nnphi.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/NNPHI-booklet-web.pdf
3. “About NNPHI.” National Network of Public Health Institutes. Accessed July 16, 2022. https://nnphi.org/about-nnphi/
4. “Evidence to Action.” National Network of Public Health Institutes. Accessed July 16, 2022 https://nnphi.org/focus-areas-service/evidence/
5. “Agenda.” NNPHI Annual Conference 2022. Accessed July 16, 2022. https://web.cvent.com/event/0c945098-5601-4d81-9b2d-433340efe59f/websitePage:645d57e4-75eb-4769-b2c0-f201a0bfc6ce
6. “Agenda.” NNPHI Annual Conference 2022. Accessed July 16, 2022. https://web.cvent.com/event/0c945098-5601-4d81-9b2d-433340efe59f/websitePage:645d57e4-75eb-4769-b2c0-f201a0bfc6ce
7. “Grantee Information: National Network of Public Health Institutes.” U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health. Accessed July 16, 2022. https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/omh/content.aspx?ID=9140&lvl=2&lvlID=52
8. “Agenda.” NNPHI Annual Conference 2022. Accessed July 16, 2022. https://web.cvent.com/event/0c945098-5601-4d81-9b2d-433340efe59f/websitePage:645d57e4-75eb-4769-b2c0-f201a0bfc6ce
9. “The Guide.” National Network of Public Health Institutes. Accessed July 16, 2022. https://nnphi.org/network-engagement/the-guide/