State health departments have laboratory services available for local health departments for diagnostic testing that may be too expensive.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. They do not offer any lab services
• D. They require private labs only

Answer: (A)

Public health laboratory services exist to support local health departments by performing diagnostic testing that may be too costly or logistically challenging for a small jurisdiction to do on its own. State health departments maintain public health laboratories that offer confirmatory testing, specialized assays (such as molecular testing for certain pathogens), and environmental testing. This centralized capability helps ensure accuracy, quality, and timely results for surveillance and outbreak investigations, and it often serves as a cost-effective resource during emergencies. Because of this, the statement is true: state health departments have laboratory services available for local health departments for diagnostic testing that may be too expensive. It’s not accurate to say they offer no lab services or that private labs are the only option, as the public health lab role is specifically designed to support local public health needs.