(a)        The General Assembly recognizes that unified purpose and direction of the public health system is necessary to ensure that all citizens in the State have equal access to essential public health services. The General Assembly declares that the mission of the public health system is to promote and contribute to the highest level of health possible for the people of North Carolina by:

(1)        Preventing health risks and disease;

(2)        Identifying and reducing health risks in the community;

(3)        Detecting, investigating, and preventing the spread of disease;

(4)        Promoting healthy lifestyles;

(5)        Promoting a safe and healthful environment;

(6)        Promoting the availability and accessibility of quality health care services through the private sector; and

(7)        Providing quality health care services when not otherwise available.

(b)        A local health department shall ensure that the following 10 essential public health services are available and accessible to the population in each county served by the local health department:

(1)        Monitoring health status to identify community health problems.

(2)        Diagnosing and investigating health hazards in the community.

(3)        Informing, educating, and empowering people about health issues.

(4)        Mobilizing community partnerships to identify and solve health problems.

(5)        Developing policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts.

(6)        Enforcing laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety.

(7)        Linking people to needed personal health care services and ensuring the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable.

(8)        Ensuring a competent public health workforce and personal health care workforce.

(9)        Evaluating effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population-based health services.

(10)      Conducting research.

(c)        The General Assembly recognizes that there are health-related services currently provided by State and local government and the private sector that are important to maintaining a healthy social and ecological environment but that are not included on the list of essential public health services required under this section. Omission of these services from the list of essential public health services shall not be construed as an intent to prohibit or decrease their availability. Rather, such omission means only that the omitted services may be more appropriately assured by government agencies or private entities other than the public health system.

(d)       The list of essential public health services required by this section shall not be construed to limit or restrict the powers and duties of the Commission for Public Health or the Departments of Environmental Quality and Health and Human Services as otherwise conferred by State law. ?(1991, c. 299, s. 1; 1997-443, s. 11A.54; 2007-182, s. 2; 2009-442, s. 1; 2012-126, s. 4; 2012-194, s. 62; 2015-241, s. 14.30(u).)