STATE PUBLIC HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Efficiency of organization and administration varies in differ ent states, depending on their degree of progressiveness, freedom from political interference and the appropriations available. In Massachusetts, New York, Minnesota and a few others the organizations are highly efficient and developed along modern lines. In a few the state organizations practically exist on paper. The organizations in the remainder are manifestly inadequate. In these the state organization has evidently been particularly designed to exercise a loose supervision over, or an advisory capacity toward the local authorities, without possess ing organization, staff, authority or appropriation enough to make the work efficient.
The different states really possess broad authority in matters pertaining to the public health under their constitutional police powers. A great impediment to the application of modern health methods is the fact that existing legislation is fre quently based upon antiquated and erroneous ideas of pre ventable diseases and hence is of little value.
The administration of existing statutes in the different states is accomplished through the agency of State Boards or Depart ments of Health. In the former authority is centered in the Board and affairs move slowly. In the latter the head of the department possesses the executive authority and prompt action is possible. An unfortunate phase of this situation is the fact that many of the appointments to these executive positions are not based upon training, experience, or other qualifications for public health work, but are given as rewards for political service. There is much opportunity for improvement in state health administration over the United States.