California Code, Health and Safety Code - HSC § 101175

The rapid increase in the population of the state and the increasing industrialization in both the urban and rural areas necessitate the provision of effective public health services to all the people of the state.

In many areas within the state local health departments lack the necessary funds, and the local population lack the means to furnish funds, to provide effective public health services.

The Legislature therefore seeks to further the provision of necessary public health services by granting financial assistance to local health departments thus enabling them to meet present and future health needs in an efficient and effective manner.  The funds granted are to augment local appropriations provided for public health purposes, and shall not be used to replace local appropriations.

The administrative pattern providing public health services to all the people of the state will vary in different areas.  It is generally recognized that the minimum population necessary for efficient administration of a local health department is approximately 50,000.  To attain this desirable population minimum it will be necessary in some areas for two or more counties to unite and establish a single administrative public health jurisdiction.