Mission

To improve health, advance equity, and respond to public health needs

 

Vision

The places where people live, learn, work, play, and practice spirituality¹ support optimal health, productivity, and fulfilling lives for all people and communities in Oregon and beyond

 

What We Do

As a Public Health Institute, we serve as a vital non-profit component of Oregon’s public health infrastructure by: 

  • Using and advocating for strategies that advance equity and reduce disparities, whether leading or supporting the work of others.
  • Creating innovative and sustainable community-led initiatives through private and public partnerships.
  • Amplifying scientifically sound ideas and community-driven solutions to advance public health policy and action.
  • Nimbly responding to emerging public health issues that impact health in Oregon and beyond.

¹What do we mean by practice spirituality? OPHI is a non-religious organization, but we recognize that . . health is more than simply physical health. As we expand our understanding and build practices that best support holistic approaches to human health, we must acknowledge mental and spiritual health. For OPHI, as we critically analyze and recognize the importance of “place” — those places where we live, learn, work, play and “practice spirituality” — we honor the role that meaning and purpose, connection and value have in individual and population health. 

Our language aligns with and supports Indigenous practice, Environmental Justice movements, and beliefs, practices and approaches that are central to the human condition. Spirituality means many things for many different people, and at OPHI we recognize and value its importance to a holistic approach to health conditions.