PROMOTING ESSENTIAL PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCH

Abstract

It is often stressed that essential national health research is a vital and integral vehicle for the enhancement of the quality of life of the population. Health research must therefore contribute to public knowledge, which in turn improve health, foster development and reduce health inequity. In order to achieve this, public health research must be used as a tool for health and community development. The follow-up action taken to utilise research findings to promote health and community development is crucial. Enabling factors for translating research findings into policy and action must include communicating vital public health research findings to policymakers and to the public. This is one of the major roles of our journal. The Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine (MJPHM) provides an avenue for local public health specialists and researchers to communicate their research findings. And it is hoped that many of these findings will be translated into policy and action for a healthier Malaysia.