The french National Institute for Prevention and Health Education is a public administrative institution established by the Law of 4 March 2002 on patients' rights and quality of the health system.

The Institute is a public health actor specifically responsible for implementing the policies of prevention and health education in the broader context of the guidelines for public health policy set by the Government.

The law of 9 August 2004 on public health policy has expanded its initial missions to participation in the management of urgent or exceptional situations with collective health consequences and training in health education.