State health agency

State health departments have different names and responsibilities; in some states they are top-level administrative agencies, while in other states they are a division or bureau of another office. Health departments are usually responsible for [[public health]], including [[preventive medicine]], [[epidemiology]], [[vaccination]]s, [[environmental health]] (sometimes including [[Health inspector|health inspections]]), and the [[License|licensing]] of [[health care professional]]s; the collection and archiving of [[vital record]]s such as [[birth certificate|birth]] and [[death certificate]]s and sometimes [[Marriage certificate|marriage]] and [[divorce]] certificates; health statistics; [[Developmental disability|developmental disabilities]]; [[mental health]]; [[occupational safety and health]]; receiving and recording reports of [[notifiable disease]]s; and [[tobacco]] control.

In some states, state health departments may additionally be responsible for [[social services]] and [[welfare]], [[environmental protection]]/[[pollution control]], or the operation of the state [[psychiatric hospital]]. Some states have a [[surgeon general]].