N.Y. Public Health Law § 2720: Legislative declaration

§ 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.