Mission: The mission of public health is to fulfill society’s interest in ensuring the existence of conditions in which people can be healthy.

Core Functions: All levels of government are responsible for conducting health assessments, health policy development, and the assurance of health. To accomplish its mission, public health agencies should establish operational linkages with other public sector agencies responsible for health-related functions. The execution of public health functions requires technical, political, management, program, and fiscal capacities at all levels. State government is the central force in public health and is the public-sector entity that bears primary responsibility for health.

Federal Government Responsibilities

• Support knowledge development and dissemination through data collection, research, and information exchange

• Establish national objectives and priorities on interstate and national health issues

• Provide technical assistance to support states and localities in determining objectives and carrying out actions on national and regional objectiveness

• Provide funds to states to strengthen their capacity for services to achieve adequate minimum health services and achieve national health objectives

• Ensure that its actions and services are in the interest of the entire nation, as in the case of epidemics, interstate environmental actions, and food and drug inspections

State Government Responsibilities

• Conduct health assessments based on statewide data

• Ensure an adequate statutory base for health activities in the state

• Establish health objectives, delegate responsibilities, and hold local governments accountable