N.Y. Pub. Health Law § 2720

§ 2720. Legislative declaration. The rising incidence of heart\ndisease, strokes and hypertension over the past twenty years has caused\nincreasing awareness and concern among public health officials and\nprivate practitioners. It is imperative that new concepts be developed\nto combat the problems of heart disease, stroke and hypertension by\nattempting to reduce the causes leading to these diseases. The program\nprovided by this article is designed to prevent heart disease, stroke\nand hypertension by concentrating on the elimination of risk factors\nassociated therewith. In order to provide for the protection and\npromotion of the health of the inhabitants of the state, the department\nof health shall have the central and comprehensive responsibility for\nthe development and administration of the state's policy with respect to\nthe conduct of scientific investigation and research concerning the\ncauses, prevention, treatment and care of hypertension.\n