How healthy is Putnam?
Putnam differs from Alabama on 21 of 40 measures. It has fewer binge drinkers (10.3% vs 14.1%) and fewer adults with depression (19.3% vs 23.3%). Where it trails the state: more adults facing a utility shut-off (15.9% vs 9.6%).
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Putnam. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Putnam
Read from the numbers below. The page puts what stands out first.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
24.2% of Putnam adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14% across Alabama.
Everyday habits, side by side with Alabama
Share of adults, with the Alabama figure marked.
Walk with neighbors
The easiest exercise habit to keep is one with company.
Care in and near Putnam
No hospital or community health center in Putnam itself. These are the nearest.
Hospitals: Medicare overall star ratings, 1–5. Community health centers charge on a sliding scale by income. Distances are straight-line from the center of Putnam; ≈ marks a hospital located by its town, not its street. Shortage areas: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas (a “population” designation covers specific residents, such as those with low incomes).
Out of every 100 Putnam adults…
Putnam runs below AL on 1 of 12 conditions and above it on 7. Tap one to see it as people.
Keeping up with care
Share of Putnam adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Alabama.
How Putnam adults are doing
On 1 of 4 measures, Putnam runs above Alabama.
1 in 3 Putnam adults feel lonely. A hello is a start.
Groups are the easiest way in: a walking group, a book club, your street.
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It’s free, confidential and open 24/7.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Putnam adults live with a disability (Alabama 36.5%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Not graded
Health Grades cover towns with 1,000 or more residents. CDC's estimates for a place of 75 people are less certain, so we show Putnam's figures without a grade.
All 40 CDC measures for Putnam
| Measure | Putnam | Likely range | Alabama | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chronic conditions | ||||
| High blood pressure | 58.2% | 53.4–62.8% | 43.3% | worse |
| High cholesterol | 45.8% | 40.9–50.8% | 40.7% | worse |
| Obesity | 46.5% | 38.4–55.4% | 39.4% | about the same |
| Arthritis | 37.7% | 33.8–42.1% | 30.3% | worse |
| Depression | 19.3% | 16.2–23% | 23.3% | better |
| Lost all teeth (65+) | 15.9% | 12.8–19.4% | 15.4% | about the same |
| Asthma | 11.1% | 9.6–12.7% | 10% | about the same |
| Cancer (not skin) | 7.6% | 6.7–8.5% | 8.2% | about the same |
| Diabetes | 23.4% | 20.4–26.7% | 14.8% | worse |
| COPD | 10.1% | 8.3–12.2% | 8% | worse |
| Heart disease | 9.1% | 7.8–10.6% | 7.3% | worse |
| Stroke | 6.4% | 5.6–7.4% | 4.1% | worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 18.9% | 15.1–23.2% | 15.1% | about the same |
| Binge drink | 10.3% | 8.3–12.6% | 14.1% | better |
| Get no exercise | 37.3% | 31–44.4% | 28.7% | worse |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 45.7% | 38.4–52.8% | 39.1% | about the same |
| Care & screenings | ||||
| Yearly checkup | 84.8% | 81.8–87.4% | 80.4% | better |
| Dentist visit | 50.2% | 46.1–54.4% | 56.9% | worse |
| Cholesterol check | 89.2% | 87.3–91% | 85.8% | better |
| Colon screening | 65.6% | 60.3–70.6% | 67% | about the same |
| Mammogram | 78.7% | 71.4–84.8% | 77.9% | about the same |
| Taking BP meds | 83.7% | 81.1–86.1% | 78% | better |
| No health insurance | 12.6% | 9.1–16.5% | 9.9% | about the same |
| Mind & connection | ||||
| Feel lonely | 37.3% | 31.8–43.3% | 35.4% | about the same |
| Lack emotional support | 31.8% | 27.1–36.8% | 24.8% | worse |
| Frequent mental distress | 16.5% | 14.3–19% | 17.2% | about the same |
| Fair or poor health | 31.7% | 26.7–37.4% | 22.8% | worse |
| Frequent physical distress | 17.1% | 14.5–20.1% | 14.2% | worse |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Food insecurity | 29.8% | 24.1–35.9% | 19.2% | worse |
| Housing insecurity | 21.5% | 17.6–25.5% | 13.9% | worse |
| Utility shut-off threat | 15.9% | 13.3–18.5% | 9.6% | worse |
| No reliable transportation | 13.6% | 11.2–16.2% | 9.8% | worse |
| Receive SNAP | 24.2% | 19.2–29.7% | 14% | |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 43.1% | 37.2–49.4% | 36.5% | |
| Walking or climbing stairs | 25.6% | 21.7–30.1% | 17.1% | |
| Thinking or memory | 16.9% | 14.2–20% | 16.1% | |
| Hearing | 8.3% | 7.1–9.5% | 8.2% | |
| Vision | 9.1% | 7.6–10.8% | 6% | |
| Dressing or bathing | 7.4% | 6.1–9% | 4.6% | |
| Errands alone | 12.5% | 10.5–14.9% | 9.8% | |
How CDC estimates town health
CDC combines a large national health survey with each area’s age, sex, race and income mix to estimate local rates. Nobody surveyed Putnam door to door.
Every figure has a likely range. When the Alabama figure falls inside it, we don’t call Putnam better or worse.
CDC publishes Putnam directly, so these are its own figures.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Putnam.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Alabama figure combines its counties, weighted by adult population. Hospitals and star ratings: Medicare Care Compare (CMS). Health centers and shortage areas: HRSA. Ages: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey. Town boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau. This page isn’t medical advice. In an emergency, call 911.