EXPANSION OF FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF HEALTH DEPARTMENTS:  CHAIRMAN'S ADDRESS

The present changing sociological and economic conditions unquestionably develop a greater need than ever before for consideration of public health services which may or should be rendered in any community or locality. The functions and responsibilities of public health agencies are primarily the prevention of disease, the control of spread of disease and the conservation and preservation of the health of the people as a whole—national, state and local. In the United States, public health organizations have been developed to include federal, state and local or community health services. The federal health service has been organized and developed in such a manner that its functions in no way interfere with state and local health services. It has been charged with the performance of specified governmental functions. It acts as a coordinating body and makes available information nationally for the protection of the health of the people, and renders assistance to