RESUMEN
Medical societies, which boast the elite of the medical circles, have not only important historic missions but also great advantages in public health advancement. For this reason, their role in the following aspects ought to be brought into greater play: stepping up research on the situation and trends of public health advancement; intensifying perspective study on the prevention and treatment abroad of infectious diseases; reinforcing health education for all people; carrying out continuing medical education with regard to seasonal infectious diseases; offering prevention and treatment guidance in public health via long distance consultation networks; and making concerted efforts in tackling key problems by making use of quality human resources.