“What is the research for?”, ”Who is the training for?” – Questions concerning health-related research and education are the original point for establishment of our organisation. We seek opportunities to keep asking ourselves these questions, to work for solutions, even if achievements might be small, and to send messages while developing network; this is the organisational principle.

There have been great achievements in research on basic medicine/health science; however, achievements in basic research alone cannot contribute to people’s heath (public health). Increasing such awareness makes people to recognise the importance of interdisciplinary, applied research; not only on “what influence on people’s health” but also on “how people can attain health”. In addition, some become to advocate the importance of linking the gap between research and real society. These movements might be one of the solutions to “what is the research for?” and ”who is the training for?”

A two-way approach is needed to bridge research and practice; evidence-based practice and problem-driven research. Human resources are also important to realise the approach, which also requires working with the research side and the practice side. Human resources development for both research-minded practitioners and practice-oriented researchers will be necessary. Only academics or only people practicing in the filed may not be able to deal with such issues.

We establish an incorporated association named Bridges in Public Health to hope to bridge the gap between research and practice. By bridging them, we further aim to address the gap between people’s reality and health plans/programmes as well as the health gap. We therefore use “bridges” in the plural form. We are aware that there should be scepticism and criticism to such ambitions; how such a small organisation can tackle with such difficult problems. We believe that it is a possible challenge now when diverse forms of services and activities develop social systems, coexisting, cooperating and complementing each other in societies. We are small and non-profit and have no authorised status. This makes us not to be pushed around by pressures such as “trend”, “priority” or “globalisation”. We are addressing issues honestly and sincerely together with like-minded colleagues.