This background paper details the work undertaken by the Institute to explore the potential for international collaboration in order to contribute to public health development in Ireland. It makes specific reference to the European Commission's proposal for a new programme of community action in the field of public health for 2001-2006.

The first Strategic Plan of the Institute of Public Health covers the period 2000-2003.

In preparing this strategy the Institute took account of the report on the role of the Institute prepared by a working group set up by the Chief Medical Officers in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland (1996). This outlined ways in which cooperation could achieve benefits in the areas of information, research, training and policy advice. Valuable suggestions were also received from many people within and outside the health sector.