The department shall establish a birth defects registry for all of the following purposes:

    (a) To provide information on the incidence and trends of birth defects among Vietnam-era veterans and their families, and among the general population.

    (b) To provide information to determine whether environmental hazards such as exposure to agent orange or chemical agents are associated with birth defects and to provide information as to other possible causes of birth defects among Vietnam-era veterans and among the general population.

    (c) To develop prevention strategies for reducing the incidence of birth defects among Vietnam-era veterans and their families, and among the general population.