Saving and improving lives through education and research: The case of the National Institute of Public Health in México along 90 years of history

Laura Magaña

Abstract

This article covers ninety years of history of the Mexican National Institute of Public Health that begins as School of Sanitation, founded on March 23rd, 1922. It summarizes the curricula since the 20’s when the “short courses” were taught, until the creation of specialties, master’s and doctoral programs which today are based on teaching by competences. The role of students and professors who we call “health professionals” stands out and we find them in the space which has belonged to them for ages: the community, the classrooms and the laboratories, from where they have worked for social equity and public policy to improve the health of the Mexicans over the years.