The Institute of Public Health (former department Tropenhygiene und öffentliches Gesundheitswesen / Tropical Hygiene and Public Health) was founded in 1962 and has steadily grown since. It currently has a staff of about 60. The Institute of Public Health is part of the Medical School/Medical Faculty which in turn is part of the University of Heidelberg. The mission of the Institute is to contribute to the improvement of health through research, teaching, and direct services (patient care, consulting) in low middle countries as well as in Europe.