The ultimate aim of all the Institute's research program is to provide effective interventions, leading to improvements in people's health and the control and prevention of disease. The basis for achieving this aim is greater understanding of the disease process and constraints to change. In part, this understanding comes from knowledge of the external causative agents of disease and in part from examining the host factors involved.

Though the activities of the Institute cover a wide span and its laboratory and computer facilities make use of the latest technology, its research programs are firmly rooted in the community, with community-based staff and active involvement from the participating communities.