Pursuant to Chapter 241, Statutes of 2006 (SB 162), effective July 1, 2007, specific programs and public health responsibilities vested with the former California Department of Health Services were transferred to the newly established California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

The mission of the CDPH is dedicated to optimizing the health and well-being of all Californians. The CDPH achieves its mission through the following core activities:

• Promoting healthy lifestyles for individuals and families in their communities and workplaces.
• Preventing disease, disability, and premature death, and reducing or eliminating health disparities.
• Protecting the public from unhealthy and unsafe environments.
• Providing or ensuring access to quality, population-based health services.
• Preparing for and responding to public health emergencies.
• Producing and disseminating data to inform and evaluate public health status, strategies, and programs.