Yannis Tountas is a Professor of Social & Preventive Medicine in the Medical School- University of Athens. He has studied Biology (Bachelor) and Public Health (Master) in Harvard University, as well as Medicine in University of Athens. He is Director of the Center for Health Services Research, Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology & Statistical Medicine, Medical School, University of Athens. He is also Director of the Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM), Chairman of the Scientific Committees of the National Network of Health Promoting Hospitals and Health Services, of the National Network for Workplace Health Promotion and of the Hellenic Healthy Cities Network, Member of the National Council for Public Health and Publisher of the journal «New Health». He has served as President of First Regional Health Care and Welfare System of the major Athens Area (2003-2004), Chair of the Governance Board of the International Network of Health Promoting Hospitals and Health Services (2008-2010), National Representative in the OECD Health Committee (2008-2010), President of the Hellenic Society for Health Promotion and Education (1987-2010), member of the Central Health Council (KESY) (2010 - 2013), and President of the National Organisation for Medicines (EOF) (2010 - 2013). He is the author of 10 books and of more than 200 publications in scientific journals.