Chronic disease control -- Establishing a prevention program -- Detection, monitoring, and community education

(1) As used in this section, "chronic disease" means an impairment or deviation from the normal functioning of the human body having one or more of the following characteristics: (a) is permanent; (b) leaves residual disability; (c) is caused by nonreversible pathological alterations; (d) requires special patient education and instruction for rehabilitation; or (e) may require a long period of supervision, observation and care. (2) The department shall establish and operate reasonable programs to prevent, delay, and detect the onset of chronic diseases including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, genetic diseases, and such other chronic diseases as the department determines are important in promoting, protecting, and maintaining the public's health. (3) (a) The department shall develop and maintain a system for detecting and monitoring chronic diseases within the state and shall investigate and determine the epidemiology of those conditions which contributed to preventable and premature sickness, or both, and to death and disability. (b) The department shall consider the disease known as "lupus" a chronic disease subject to the detection and monitoring provisions of Subsection (3)(a). (4) The department shall establish programs of community and professional education relevant to the detection, prevention, and control of chronic diseases.