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Putnam County Department of Health

News & Press Releases

A PHAB Accredited Health Department

The Putnam County Department of Health is made of several divisions all working towards improving and protecting the health of the community. Click on one of the options below to learn more about that division.

Public Health…Built by Everyone! 

24 January 2025

Public health is for everyone, and multisector community partnerships are essential. Through collaborations built with a variety of community partners, the health department guides a cooperative health improvement planning process. Health department staff also routinely work with food service establishments, camp and daycare operators, schools, healthcare providers, towns and other municipalities, and virtually all not-for-profit organizations and government agencies providing services to the residents in Putnam County.  

One recent project that positively impacts various social determinants of health is the Early Childhood Vaccination Intervention. Health department staff reviewed pediatric practice vaccination rates and enrolled several local pediatric practices in an intervention designed to   increase rates by identifying and notifying families with children overdue for vaccinations. When families receive timely communication from their trusted provider, children are enabled to meet the vaccination requirements for school which can help to reduce stress for parents and minimize school absenteeism. This initiative was developed based on results from the most recent Community Health Assessment.  

Another collaborative project, intertwined with multiple social determinants of health, is the Putnam County Food System Coalition. Access to healthy foods is a product of the physical environment, transportation, economic stability, and community resources. The number of individuals and families in Putnam considered food insecure and unable to purchase nutritious foods has continued to grow. The coalition, spearheaded by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Putnam, helps increase access to nutrient-dense food by providing free meals and food to many populations in the county. In addition to the foods already distributed by Second Chance Foods and the Putnam Community Action Partnership, the group works with Putnam County’s Office for Senior Resources to set up freezers with free meals in several of their friendship centers and other locations through the Bountiful Meals Program. Additionally, the Farm to Truck initiative launched a mobile food truck with free food products that now makes multiple stops throughout the county each week. Food and money donations from local businesses and individuals, along with volunteers and their countless hours of service are all examples of social factors that impact health. These factors, along with government grants, contribute to making these programs and organizations a reality.  

Residents can read more about the health department’s community partners and the community health planning process by accessing the 2022-2024 Putnam County Community Health Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan at putnamcountyny.gov/health/community-health. The plan includes updates on initiatives, while a new Community Health Assessment is in process. Residents can familiarize themselves with all the services offered by the health department at putnamcountyny.gov/health 


Welcome Message

The mission of the Putnam County Department of Health is to improve and protect the health of our community.

We strive to prevent the spread of disease, protect against environmental hazards, promote healthy lifestyles, ensure access to quality health services, and respond to disasters.

We encourage you to explore our website and contact us if you have any questions.

In the event of an emergency, Health Department staff are available 24/7. Please call 845-808-1390 to report a public health emergency, rabies exposure, communicable disease, water outage or sewer overflow.
If you are a member of the media and would like to contact the health department, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Contact the Department of Health


  • Michael J. Nesheiwat, MD

    Commissioner of Health