(a) The department shall administer the statutes and regulations relating to the promotion and protection of the public health as provided by law.

(b) In performing its duties under this chapter, AS 18.09, and AS 18.15.355 - 18.15.395, the department may

(1) flexibly use the broad range of powers set out in this title assigned to the department to protect and promote the public health;

(2) provide public health information programs or messages to the public that promote healthy behaviors or lifestyles or educate individuals about health issues;

(3) promote efforts among public and private sector partners to develop and finance programs or initiatives that identify and ameliorate health problems;

(4) establish, finance, provide, or endorse performance management standards for the public health system;

(5) develop, adopt, and implement

(A) a statewide health plan under AS 18.09 based on recommendations of the Alaska Health Care Commission established in AS 18.09.010; and

(B) public health plans and formal policies through regulations adopted under AS 44.62 or collaborative recommendations that guide or support individual and community public health efforts;

(6) establish formal or informal relationships with public or private sector partners within the public health system;

(7) identify, assess, prevent, and ameliorate conditions of public health importance through surveillance; epidemiological tracking, program evaluation, and monitoring; testing and screening programs; treatment; administrative inspections; or other techniques;

(8) promote the availability and accessibility of quality health care services through health care facilities or providers;

(9) promote availability of and access to preventive and primary health care when not otherwise available through the private sector, including acute and episodic care, prenatal and postpartum care, child health, family planning, school health, chronic disease prevention, child and adult immunization, testing and screening services, dental health, nutrition, and health education and promotion services;

(10) systematically and regularly review the public health system and recommend modifications in its structure or other features to improve public health outcomes; and

(11) collaborate with public and private sector partners, including municipalities, Alaska Native organizations, health care providers, and health insurers, within the public health system to achieve the mission of public health.