The State departments of health promotes the public health through policy initiatives, research and service programs. Often, the state's public health administration will combine with the provision of social services. The term health generally refers to behavioral and environmental health as well as physical well-being, illness and communicable diseases.

The state health department and services offers amazing hospitals, nursing homes, listings of licensed health practitioners, health warnings, information about federally-funded programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, vital statistics. It also includes the reports on specific health issues such as alcoholism or drug or tobacco addiction, mental health and disability programs, health insurance and long-term care, licensing boards, regulations as well as volunteer or employment opportunities. Social service includes programs dealing with welfare, early childhood development, foster parenting, poverty, sex offenders, aging, public assistance, and rehabilitation.