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Monday, March 15, 2010

Department of State Health Services

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Photograph of stethoscope.

The Texas Department of State Health Services oversees disease control and prevention, as well as operating community health centers and psychiatric hospitals.

The agency and its epidemiologists track disease trends and operate state labs, coordinating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to combat bioterrorism and halt the spread of dangerous pathogens. It also handles environmental safety, consumer safety and other regulatory programs.

The agency also oversees Texas' public substance abuse and mental health treatment programs, as well as the state's Office of Border Health.

The agency has 11,500 employees and an annual budget of $2.5 billion.

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