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{{Short description|Indian academic research institution}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = Institute of Public Health, Bengaluru
| formation = 30 August 2005
| logo = IPH logo 20-Years-of-Excellence-1920-x-900-px.webp
| image = 
| caption = Logo of IPH Bengaluru bearing the 20 years commemoration
| abbreviation = IPH Bengaluru or IPH Bangalore
| type = Non-profit academic institution
| headquarters = [[Bengaluru]], Karnataka, India
| website = {{URL|https://iphindia.org}}
| location = 3009, II-A Main, 17th Cross, KR Road, Siddanna Layout, Banashankari Stage II, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560070
| region_served = India
}}
The '''Institute of Public Health, Bengaluru''' ('''IPH Bengaluru''') is a non-profit academic research institution based in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. It focuses on strengthening health systems through research, education, and policy engagement, aiming to create an equitable, integrated, decentralized, and participatory health system within a just and empowered society.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our Mission and Vision |url=https://iphindia.org/about-us/our-mission-and-vision/ |access-date=2025-04-20 |website=Institute of Public Health Bengaluru |language=en-US}}</ref> They are recognised as a scientific research organisation by the [[Department of Science and Technology (India)|department of science and technology]] of the Indian government. Their areas of work and action include [[commercial determinants of health]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=India Alliance - Advancing Discovery & Innovation to Improve Health |url=https://www.indiaalliance.org/fellow/upendra-bhojani |access-date=2025-04-20 |website=www.indiaalliance.org}}</ref> tribal health,<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=2023-07-17 |title=Tribal healthcare project to be rolled out in more dists |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/tribal-healthcare-project-to-be-rolled-out-in-more-dists/articleshow/101810204.cms |access-date=2025-04-20 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last1=S |first1=Prashanth N. |last2=Kochupurackal |first2=Sabu K. U. |last3=Juneja |first3=Anika |last4=Seshadri |first4=Tanya |last5=Mahadeva |first5=C. |last6=Venkategowda |first6=Muthaiah |last7=Gowda |first7=C. Made |last8=George |first8=Mathew Sunil |last9=Kane |first9=Sumit |last10=Michielsen |first10=Joris |last11=Belle |first11=Sara Van |date=2025-03-13 |title=Reimagining Innovation in Health Equity: Making a Case for a Community-embedded Participatory Learning Site for Adivasi Health Research |url=https://journals.ub.umu.se/index.php/jcsh/article/view/1102 |journal=Journal of Community Systems for Health |language=en |volume=2 |issue=1 |doi=10.36368/jcsh.v2i1.1102 |issn=3035-692X|url-access=subscription |doi-access=free }}</ref> health policy and systems research.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last1=John |first1=Shilpa |last2=Ramani |first2=Sudha |last3=Abbas |first3=Syed Mohd |last4=Kane |first4=Sumit |last5=Lall |first5=Dorothy |last6=Srinivas |first6=Prashanth N. |last7=Nambiar |first7=Devaki |last8=Marchal |first8=Bruno |last9=Van Belle |first9=Sara |last10=Sadanandan |first10=Rajeev |last11=Devadasan |first11=Narayanan |date=2024-09-19 |title=Building Health Policy and Systems Research (HPSR) capacity in India: Reflections from the India HPSR fellowship program (2020-2023) |journal=Health Research Policy and Systems |volume=22 |issue=1 |page=129 |doi=10.1186/s12961-024-01218-3 |doi-access=free |issn=1478-4505 |pmc=11411990 |pmid=39300506}}</ref><ref name="iimb.ac.in">{{Cite web |title=A flagship national conference on health policy and systems research to be hosted at IIM Bangalore {{!}} IIM Bangalore |url=https://www.iimb.ac.in/cpp-at-iimb-hsr2024 |access-date=2025-04-20 |website=www.iimb.ac.in}}</ref>

== History ==
IPH Bengaluru was founded by Narayanan Devadasan and colleagues on 30 August 2005 and registered as a [[Societies Registration Act, 1860|non-profit society]]. As the founder-Director, Devadasan was instrumental in steering the IPH Bengaluru through its formative years. Since 2018, IPH Bengaluru has institutionalised a rotating system of leadership with four-year tenure for the Directors.<ref name="Paying it forward">{{Cite web |title=Paying it forward |url=https://www.itg.be/en/health-stories/articles/paying-it-forward |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250408081138/https://www.itg.be/en/health-stories/articles/paying-it-forward |archive-date=2025-04-08 |access-date=2025-04-20 |website=www.itg.be |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Research and action ==
IPH Bengaluru conducts research to strengthen the Indian health system by generating evidence on effective interventions. Its research areas include [[Chronic condition|chronic health conditions]] and public policies, health services, [[health equity]], and [[Health economics|health financing]] with a focus on [[primary health care]] and [[Universal health care|universal health coverage]]. The institute uses various [[health policy and systems research]]<ref name=":2" /> such as [[Health in All Policies|health in all policies]],<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Bhojani |first1=Upendra |last2=Soors |first2=Werner |date=2015 |title=Tobacco control in India: A case for the Health-in-All Policy approach |journal=The National Medical Journal of India |volume=28 |issue=2 |pages=86–89 |issn=0970-258X |pmid=26612153}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Mondal |first1=Shinjini |last2=Bhojani |first2=Upendra |last3=Lobbo |first3=Samntha |last4=Law |first4=Susan |last5=Maioni |first5=Antonia |last6=Van Belle |first6=Sara |date=January 2022 |title=Using social network analysis to understand multisectoral governance in district-level tobacco control programme implementation in India |journal=BMJ Global Health |volume=7 |issue=1 |article-number=e006471 |doi=10.1136/bmjgh-2021-006471 |issn=2059-7908 |pmc=8739058 |pmid=34992075}}</ref> [[participatory action research]],<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=India Alliance - Advancing Discovery & Innovation to Improve Health |url=https://www.indiaalliance.org/news/early-career-fellows-partii |access-date=2025-04-20 |website=www.indiaalliance.org}}</ref> and [[Theory-driven evaluation|theory-driven inquiries]] and [[Realist Evaluation|realist evaluation]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Prashanth |first1=N S |last2=Marchal |first2=Bruno |last3=Hoeree |first3=Tom |last4=Devadasan |first4=Narayanan |last5=Macq |first5=Jean |last6=Kegels |first6=Guy |last7=Criel |first7=Bart |date=2012 |title=How does capacity building of health managers work? A realist evaluation study protocol |journal=BMJ Open |language=en |volume=2 |issue=2 |article-number=e000882 |doi=10.1136/bmjopen-2012-000882 |doi-access=free|issn=2044-6055 |pmc=3330260 |pmid=22466036}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Prashanth |first1=N. S. |last2=Marchal |first2=Bruno |last3=Kegels |first3=Guy |last4=Criel |first4=Bart |date=2014-07-25 |title=Evaluation of Capacity-Building Program of District Health Managers in India: A Contextualized Theoretical Framework |journal=Frontiers in Public Health |volume=2 |page=89 |doi=10.3389/fpubh.2014.00089 |doi-access=free |issn=2296-2565 |pmc=4110717 |pmid=25121081}}</ref>

=== Tobacco control ===
The Institute has been active in conducting research on implementation of [[tobacco control]] laws and studying tobacco industry interference in [[Karnataka]] and other states, using judicial action<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Institute of Public Health v. The State Government of Karnataka,… |url=https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/litigation/decisions/the-institute-of-public-health-v-the-state-government-of-karnataka-et-al-2 |access-date=2025-06-06 |website=Tobacco Control Laws |language=en}}</ref> as needed to achieve this.<ref>{{Cite web |title=100 cases of tobacco sale near schools, colleges recorded last year in Bengaluru |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru/100-cases-of-tobacco-sale-near-schools-colleges-recorded-last-year-in-bengaluru-3016430 |access-date=2025-06-06 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Prevent tobacco lobby interference |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion/prevent-tobacco-lobby-interference-872603.html |access-date=2025-06-06 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref> Their research has examined the tobacco industry's potential tax avoidance and tactics in avoiding compliance with laws requiring pictorial warnings.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BAT in South Asia: No 'Better Tomorrow' |url=https://exposetobacco.org/news/corporate-social-responsibility-tax-interference/ |access-date=2025-06-06 |website=STOP |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Tribal health initiatives ===

In June 2022, a community-based research centre on tribal health was launched in Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka, with support from the DBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance,<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2022-06-08 |title=Research initiative on tribal health launched in Chamarajanagar |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/research-initiative-on-tribal-health-launched-in-chamarajanagar/article65507477.ece |access-date=2025-04-20 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Department of Biotechnology (@DBTIndia) |url=https://dbtindia.gov.in/dbt-press/decade-discovery-india-alliance-celebrates-10-years-enabling-biomedical-research-india |access-date=2025-04-20 |website=dbtindia.gov.in |language=en}}</ref> building on an earlier initiative to use participatory action research to work with the Adivasi communities in the district.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Seshadri |first1=Tanya |last2=Madegowda |first2=C |last3=Babu |first3=Giridhara R |last4=Nuggehalli Srinivas |first4=Prashanth |date=2019 |title=Implementation Research With the Soliga Indigenous Community in Southern India for Local Action on Improving Maternal Health Services |url=https://www.ssrn.com/abstract=3483650 |journal=SSRN Electronic Journal |language=en |doi=10.2139/ssrn.3483650 |issn=1556-5068|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Srinivas |first1=Prashanth Nuggehalli |last2=Seshadri |first2=Tanya |last3=Velho |first3=Nandini |last4=Babu |first4=Giridhara R. |last5=Madegowda |first5=C. |last6=Channa Basappa |first6=Yogish |last7=Narasimhamurthi |first7=Nityasri Sankha |last8=Majigi |first8=Sumanth Mallikarjuna |last9=Madhusudan |first9=Mysore Doreswamy |last10=Marchal |first10=Bruno |date=2019 |title=Towards Health Equity and Transformative Action on tribal health (THETA) study to describe, explain and act on tribal health inequities in India: A health systems research study protocol |journal=Wellcome Open Research |volume=4 |page=202 |doi=10.12688/wellcomeopenres.15549.1 |doi-access=free |issn=2398-502X |pmc=7076281 |pmid=32211518}}</ref> The initiative, known as the Center for Training, Research and Innovation on Tribal Health is a collaboration between IPH Bengaluru with J S S Medical College ([[Mysore]]), and the Indian Institute of Public Health, Bengaluru/[[Public Health Foundation of India]]. It aims to address health disparities among [[Adivasi]] communities, focusing on genetic diseases, hemoglobinopathies,<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-06-18 |title=Sickle Cell Disease: 192 cases, more than 2,000 individuals with traits identified in Karnataka in the last one year |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/sickle-cell-disease-192-cases-more-than-2000-individuals-with-traits-identified-in-karnataka-in-the-last-one-year/article68303983.ece |access-date=2025-06-06 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> and barriers to accessing healthcare. Local implementation is carried out with the participation of the Jilla Budakattu Girijana Abhivruddhi Sangha, a collective representing the Solega Adivasi community.<ref name=":1" /> To bridge cultural and systemic barriers,<ref>{{Cite web |title=The healthcare scare: Adivasis in Karnataka fear public hospitals |url=https://idronline.org/ground-up-stories/the-healthcare-scare-adivasis-in-karnataka-fear-public-hospitals/ |access-date=2025-04-20 |website=India Development Review |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-08-31 |title='Will Come if it is in Our Podu' |url=https://www.theindiaforum.in/article/will-come-if-it-our-podu |access-date=2025-04-20 |website=The India Forum |language=en}}</ref> IPH Bengaluru has supported the development of the Tribal Health Navigator program in [[Chamarajanagar district|Chamarajanagar]]. This initiative recruits and trains individuals from Adivasi communities who have a background in nursing or community health to assist tribal patients in navigating government hospitals. These health navigators help improve communication, trust, and treatment adherence. The Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Department has announced plans to expand this initiative to other districts.<ref name=":0" /> IPH Bengaluru has also contributed to developing the Realist Implementation Action Lab (RIAL) model, which supports embedded and participatory research with Adivasi communities in BR Hills and Chamarajanagar.<ref name=":1" /> This approach is grounded in [[Realist Evaluation|realist methodology]], focusing on how context influences the success or failure of health system interventions. It brings together government, civil society, and tribal governance institutions in sustained co-learning processes.<ref name=":1" />

== Policy engagement ==
IPH Bengaluru engages in policy and system-level changes by collaborating with stakeholders at various levels. The institute co-organizes a national conference series on bringing evidence into public health policy. The fourth edition of the Evidence into Public Health Policy (EPHP) conference in September 2024, held at the [[Indian Institute of Management Bangalore]], focused on health governance, policy, and institutional frameworks for just and sustainable health systems and brought together over 200 participants, including researchers, policymakers, and practitioners.<ref name="iimb.ac.in"/>

== Collaborations and partnerships ==
IPH Bengaluru collaborates with various organizations for research and policy initiatives including the [[Indian Council of Medical Research]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Equitable, Quality Universal health coverage Implementation research Project for optimizing comprehensive primary health care through Health and Wellness Centres (EQUIP-HWCs) in Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka |url=https://iphindia.org/health-services/equitable-quality-universal-health-coverage-implementation-research-project-for-optimizing-comprehensive-primary-health-care-through-health-and-wellness-centres-equip-hwcs-in-chamarajanagar-distric/ |access-date=2025-04-20 |website=Institute of Public Health Bengaluru |language=en-US}}</ref> various state governments, the WHO [[Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research]], [[Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp]]<ref name="Paying it forward" />, [[Public Health Foundation of India]] and [[Indian Institute of Management Bangalore]]<ref>{{cite web |title=A national level conference on health policy and systems research to be hosted at IIM Bangalore {{!}} IBG News |url=https://ibgnews.com/2024/09/04/a-national-level-conference-on-health-policy-and-systems-research-to-be-hosted-at-iim-bangalore/ |website=ibgnews.com |access-date=19 April 2026}}</ref>. The institute has received support from various philanthropic and CSR organisations which have recognized the efforts in bringing academic rigor to health interventions and striving for policy-level changes through a rights-based approach to health.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Institute of Public Health |url=https://rohininilekaniphilanthropies.org/grantees/institute-of-public-health/ |access-date=2025-04-20 |website=Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Awards and recognition ==
In 2022, researchers from the Institute were recognised by [[Deccan Herald]] as part of their annual ''Changemakers'' initiative, for their contributions to supporting COVID-19 response in Chamarajanagar district, especially among Adivasi populations.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-12-22 |title=Tanya Seshadri and Prashanth N S |url=https://22in22.deccanherald.com/tanya-seshadri-and-prashanth-n-s |access-date=2025-06-06 |website=DH Changemakers |language=en}}</ref> They were also awarded the [[Triloki Nath Khoshoo]] Memorial Award by [[Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment]] for contributions to the COVID-19 response in Karnataka.<ref>{{Cite web |title=TN Khoshoo Memorial Award for Tanya Seshadri, NS Prashanth |url=https://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay?newsID=896157 |access-date=2025-06-06 |website=www.daijiworld.com |language=en}}</ref>

== See also ==

* [[Public Health Foundation of India]]
* National Centre for Disease Control (India)
* [[National Tuberculosis Institute]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://iphindia.org Official website of the Institute of Public Health, Bengaluru]

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Public health organisations based in India]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 2005]]
[[Category:Foundations based in India]]
[[Category:Medical and health foundations]]

Institute of Public Health Bengaluru - Revision history

Pururava at 12:03, 19 April 2026