The Institute of Public Health and Medical Law (hereinafter referred to as "the Institute") provides teaching in the field of public health as a multidisciplinary field dealing with the broader socio-economic context and determinants of health, as well as in the field of medical law with an emphasis on the basic legal obligations of physicians and their practical application in health care. Teaching is provided for medical and dental students and master's and bachelor's students.

The Institute underwent a structural change during 2008-2009, which was related to the new concept of the Institute and responded to the new needs of undergraduate education of health professionals in the field of public health and medical law. In addition to the new concept, the Academic Senate of the 1st Faculty of Medicine of Charles University also approved the change of the name of the Institute of Social Medicine and Public Health to the Institute of Public Health and Medical Law, which corresponds to the new focus of the Institute.

In the teaching programme of General and Dental Medicine, the education in the field of public health has been expanded to provide students with a comprehensive overview of the organisation and system of health care. The teaching of medical law has been newly integrated with an emphasis on the basic legal obligations of doctors and their practical application in health care. It was also decided to revise the other teaching programmes within the Master's and Bachelor's degree programmes, strengthening the teaching of medical law and expanding education in the field of public health, providing students with a comprehensive overview and basic orientation in these multidisciplinary fields.

A comprehensive understanding of the relationship between medicine, public health and law through a comprehensive education programme can thus contribute significantly to the understanding of health as a value not only individual but also society-wide, to strengthening the legal protection of doctors and other health professionals, but also to creating a functional relationship between patients and doctors, which is a necessary condition for improving the quality of health care.

The Institute develops scientific and research activities focusing on public health, in which it cooperates with national academic and international institutions. The Institute systematically deals with the issue of migration concerning health and health care and participates in empirical investigations and information and education projects focused on this area.