The Legislature finds and declares that the rising incidence of heart disease, kidney disease and stroke is causing increased concern among public health officials and private practitioners who feel that it is imperative that new initiatives be developed to combat the high blood pressure which is so often associated with these life threatening conditions.

The Legislature further finds that the expansion of the comprehensive hypertension control program presently operated by the New Jersey State Department of Health with funds from federal block grants is in the best interests of the citizens of the State of New Jersey in an effort to minimize the incidence of death and disability which so often accompany uncontrolled high blood pressure.

L. 1985, c. 5, s. 1, eff. Jan. 10, 1985.