Kansas has what is known as a decentralized public health system. This means that most of the State’s 105 local health departments are units of local governments.
The Kansas Legislature, by authorizing local boards of health and local health officers, has delegated a significant amount of authority and responsibility to local public health officials. The state health agency, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), offers guidance and technical assistance to local jurisdictions, but KDHE does not have authority over the staffing, programs, or decisions of the local health departments.