The department of Health Promotion and Chronic Diseases (DPSDC) develops activities in the areas of health promotion and prevention of chronic diseases. This department is responsible for:

Conducting research on the etiology, determinants and pathogenesis of chronic diseases with major impact in the Portuguese population;
Developing effective methodologies of community intervention and evaluation;
Establishing standard values for biological parameters nationally;
Contributing to monitoring of individual and collective health;
Disseminating scientific knowledge and improving health literacy, namely in health promotion and in prevention strategies for chronic disorders.