Health Department Releases 2016-2018 CHA and CHIP

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Health Department Releases 2016-2018 CHA and CHIP

BREWSTER, NY— Five community-wide coalitions and 91 community organizations joined the Putnam County Department of Health in compiling and issuing a joint Community Health Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan for the years covering 2016 through 2018.

“It is government’s role to protect and improve the lives of its citizens, that’s why improving the health of Putnam residents is so important,” said County Executive MaryEllen Odell. “This challenge, as complex as it is, cannot be accomplished by one agency or organization. It takes a community effort from government agencies and community organizations, working together to achieve this goal.”

Interim Health Commissioner Michael J. Nesheiwat, MD, praised the efforts of the community coalitions, saying, “Our partners have been of tremendous help—both in assessing the community’s health and helping to strategize and develop solutions. Our biggest concerns are promoting mental health, preventing substance abuse and reducing chronic diseases. Creating a safer environment by preventing falls and injuries among the elderly has also been identified as a priority area as well.”

The five community coalitions leading the efforts with the health department are the Mental Health Provider Group, the chronic disease prevention group Live Healthy Putnam Coalition, the Suicide Prevention Task Force, Putnam Hospital Center’s Community Health Needs Committee, and the Communities That Care Coalition, which works to reduce the use of harmful substances by adolescents. For a list of 91 partner organizations and agencies, or to view the report, click here: CHA/CHIP Report.

The Health Department’s mission is to improve and protect the health of the Putnam County community, composed of nearly 100,000 residents. Core services include community health assessment, disease surveillance and control, emergency preparedness, environmental health protection, family health promotion and health education.

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