§ 2720. Legislative declaration. The rising incidence of heart
disease, strokes and hypertension over the past twenty years has caused
increasing awareness and concern among public health officials and
private practitioners. It is imperative that new concepts be developed
to combat the problems of heart disease, stroke and hypertension by
attempting to reduce the causes leading to these diseases. The program
provided by this article is designed to prevent heart disease, stroke
and hypertension by concentrating on the elimination of risk factors
associated therewith. In order to provide for the protection and
promotion of the health of the inhabitants of the state, the department
of health shall have the central and comprehensive responsibility for
the development and administration of the state's policy with respect to
the conduct of scientific investigation and research concerning the
causes, prevention, treatment and care of hypertension.