A critical component of a public health system in the
community is the local health department (LHD). LHDs
are established by their respective state government either
as a product of state legislature or by executive authority
granted to a particular state governmental agency, such as a
state health department. In turn, they are governed by the
respective state and local laws. As such, they cannot be
considered separately from the state network in which they
operate [6]. They exist for the common good and are
responsible for providing leadership and services aimed at
improving health and well-being, and preventing illness,
disease, injury, premature death, and health disparities [7].