About the Center
Our Vision
Our vision is to bring public health research findings to the daily lives of individuals and communities with a special focus on North Carolina and populations vulnerable to disease.
Our Mission
Our mission is accomplished by working with partners to:
- enhance the ability of public health practitioners, as well as individuals, groups and communities to promote health and prevent disease,
- conduct, evaluate, and disseminate innovative, community-based research, and
- develop education and training programs to translate research into public health practice.
Who We Are
In 1985, the deans of the UNC Schools of Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy and Public Health created a research center dedicated to health promotion and disease prevention. The following year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funded HPDP as one of the agency's first three Prevention Research Centers.
Today, HPDP connects more than 120 UNC researchers with communities, organizations, and agencies for the purpose of using research-based approaches to promote good health outcomes. Our Community and Scientific Advisory Boards include representatives from these groups who help guide our research, training, and service activities. While our primary focus is the health concerns of North Carolinians, our reach extends nationally and internationally.