5. The commissioner is authorized to:

a. Enter into necessary contracts and agreements with counties, municipalities and other units of government, colleges, universities, associations, agencies, corporations, and individuals for the development and expansion of community hypertension programs;

b. Gather data relative to the detection of high blood pressure and the incidence of heart disease, kidney disease and stroke;

c. Promote programs of professional education for physicians, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, and public health professionals relative to the prevention, detection and control of high blood pressure and the rehabilitation of persons with heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease which result from uncontrolled hypertension;

d. Conduct scientific investigation into the prevention, cause, detection, and control of high blood pressure;

e. Develop more effective methods for the screening, evaluation and control of hypertension; and

f. Apply for and accept any grant of money from the federal government or any other source available for the purposes of P.L.1985, c.5 (C. 26:2-124 et seq.).

L.1985, c.5, s.5; amended 2017, c.131, s.67.