The World Federation of Public Health Associations was founded in May 1967 during the 20th World Health Assembly by delegates representing 32 national public health associations. Its foundation represented a milestone in creating a non-governmental civil society voice for public health.

The WFPHA is an international, nongovernmental organization composed of multidisciplinary national public health associations. It is the only worldwide professional society representing and serving the broad field of public health.

WFPHA's mission is to Protect people, prevent diseasesand promoting health & wellbeing

WFPHA has 5 goals :

• Advocate for health equity and global policies to improve the health of populations
• Promote, support and strengthen member associations
• Develop and advance public health practice, education, training and research
• Grow new and strengthen existing partnerships with groups or individuals who share our values
• Build an effective, efficient, responsive and sustainable WFPHA

It does this throughout the world by supporting the establishment and organizational development of public health associations and societies of public health, through facilitating and supporting the exchange of information, knowledge and the transfer of skills and resources, and through promoting and undertaking advocacy for public policies, programs and practices that will result in a healthy and productive world.

It represents 130 Member associations, 5 millions public health professionals represented and 104 countries.