§ 25-1-501 — Legislative declaration

(1) The general assembly hereby finds
and declares that:

(a) The public health system reduces health-care costs by preventing
disease and injury, promoting healthy behavior, and reducing the incidents of
chronic diseases and conditions. Thus, the public health system is a critical part of
any health-care reform.

(b) Each community in Colorado should provide high-quality public health
services regardless of its location. Thus, the state of Colorado and each local public
health agency should have a comprehensive public health plan outlining how
quality public health services will be provided.

(c) Each county should establish or be part of a local public health agency
organized under a local board of health with a public health director and other staff
necessary to provide public health services;

(d) A strong public health infrastructure is needed to provide essential public
health services and is a shared responsibility among state and local public health
agencies and their partners within the public health system; and

(e) Developing a strong public health infrastructure requires the coordinated
efforts of state and local public health agencies and their public and private sector
partners within the public health system to:

(I) Identify and provide leadership for the provision of essential public health
services;

(II) Develop and support an information infrastructure that supports
essential public health services and functions;

(III) Develop and provide effective education and training for members of the
public health workforce;

(IV) Develop performance-management standards for the public health
system that are tied to improvements in public health outcomes or other measures;
and

(V) Develop a comprehensive plan and set priorities for providing essential
public health services.

Legislative History

Source: L. 2008: Entire part R&RE, p. 2030, � 1, effective July 1.