The Society originated in London in 1856 as the Association of Metropolitan Medical Officers of Health.

In 1859 the Society admitted members from the rest of Britain and Ireland.

The name was changed to the Association of Medical Officers of Health in 1869 to acknowledge the increased membership outside London.

Four provincial Associations were formed, but members from Ireland stayed as members of the London based Society.

In 1873 the constitution was revised and the Association became the Society of Medical Officers of Health.

In 1888 the Society officially recognised its nation-wide membership by merging with the provincial associations, which became branches of the Society.

In 1919 the Society approved a new constitution to reflect it’s role as the representative body of the Public Health Service and membership was extended to any medical officer engaged in public health work. Provision was made to form specialist groups by function to reflect the expanded role in the child health and welfare services, tuberculosis and maternity services. In addition to being a learned body the Society registered as a trade union affiliated to the British Medical Association (BMA).

Following Independence the role of members in the Republic of Ireland was diminished as they could not be members of a trade union. They retained membership of the Society but became associate members of the BMA.

In 1933 members in the South of Ireland formed their own Specialist Group, the Society of County Medical Officers of Health confined to County and County Borough Medical Officers. As numbers were small it was decided to admit Assistant County Medical Officers and other doctors working in the Public Health Service. The name was changed to the Society of Medical Officers of the Irish Free State (Saorstat Eireann) and in 1937 became the Society of Medical Officers of Health (EIRE).

The Group appears to have been disbanded in 1943 but some Medical Officers remained members of the UK Society.

In 1948 Northern Ireland decided to form a branch of the Society of Medical Officers of Health

In 1956 the Society of Chief and County Medical Officers was formed. This allowed for the Assistant Medical Officers to be admitted as associate members. In the first year there were only 21 full members. Subsequently it was decided to admit the Assistant County Medical Officers and other doctors working in the Public Health Service as full members.

The constitution was changed to include the other Medical Officers and renamed the Irish Society of Medical Officers of Health. The aims and objectives of the Irish Society remained similar to those of the UK Society.

The logo of the Society was designed by a former President, Dr. John Walker and the Medallion in 9ct gold was presented to the Society by Smith Kline and French, who for a number of years presented a replica medal to past Presidents.

In the 1950’s and 60’s the role of the Medical Officer of Health increased considerably and the County Medical Officer who was a senior local government official had responsibility for all health services locally. The Irish Society’s advisory and coordinating role also expanded commensurately in promoting the advancement of public health, the Society acted as an advisory and consultative body to government and other organisations. Close links were maintained with the UK society and the Northern Ireland Branch.

Following formation of Health Boards in 1970, the post of County Medical Officer was abolished, but the Society retained its name, the Irish Society of Medical Officers of Health. Together with the Irish Medical Association (IMA) and Irish Medical Union (IMU), they negotiated a role for the Medical Officer of Health in the middle management post of Director of Community Care.

The Irish Society of Medical Officers of Health changed its name to the Irish Society of Public Health Medicine in 1992, following the foundation of the Faculty of Public Health Medicine of the Royal College of Physicians.