Which department is referred to as the principal health authority in Texas?

The correct answer identifies the Texas Department of State Health Services as the principal health authority in Texas. This department plays a crucial role in managing public health initiatives, ensuring the health and safety of the population, and overseeing various health-related programs and services within the state.

The Texas Department of State Health Services is responsible for a wide range of functions, including disease prevention, health promotion, and the regulation of healthcare providers. It coordinates efforts to protect the public from health threats, manages health policy, and ensures compliance with health laws and regulations.

While the Texas Department of Health may seem relevant, it has been subsumed into the Texas Department of State Health Services, which consolidates health-related responsibilities. The Texas Department of Public Safety focuses primarily on law enforcement and public safety, rather than health services. The Texas Medical Board, though it regulates physicians and certain other health professionals, does not serve as the overarching health authority for the state, as its focus is narrower compared to the comprehensive responsibilities of the Department of State Health Services.