(1) The department shall establish a chronic disease prevention and control program which shall include arthritis, cancer, dental disease, diabetes, genetic disease, heart disease, hypertension, renal disease, and any other disease the department designates as chronic pursuant to section 5439. The department shall cooperate with the department of mental health in establishment of a statewide program for genetic screening and counseling in the area of mental disabilities.

  (2) Programs established under this part shall continue, at a minimum, the programs established pursuant to Act No. 96 of the Public Acts of 1975, being section 329.551 to 329.557 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, and Act No. 335 of the Public Acts of 1974, being section 325.531 to 325.533 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.