The growing problem of prevention, detection and care of chronic illness, which is of such character as not to be exclusively medical, educational or welfare, has now reached such proportions in this State as to require the participation of the State and of the agencies administering public health, education and welfare within the State and it is hereby declared to be the public policy of this State that the responsibility therefor must be shared by the State and the counties and the several municipalities and health districts and the voluntary agencies and institutions within the State and the public at large.

L.1952, c. 102, p. 438, s. 2.