The principal mission is research, but education and training programs in health and mental health research are provided for postdoctoral trainees and graduate and undergraduate students. The Institute draws on its rich faculty resources in the social and behavioral sciences, public policy, health services research, public health, nursing, social work, medicine, law, business, pharmacy, operations research and actuarial science. The research focuses on important and persistent health care issues that are informed by the sophisticated theory and methods that characterize university research. This strong academic foundation is combined with applied policy analyses. The Institute disseminates relevant research information to policymakers, advocates and consumers and involves these groups in ongoing research. The Institute also performs a convening function by bringing together state policymakers and administrators and representatives of the private and nonprofit sectors to discuss shared concerns. Together these strategies help to build a more integrated and effective health research and policy community.