Putnam County Health Data

Putnam County, Tennessee

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

37/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

73.4 yr

Uninsured Rate

11.2%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

73.4 yr

State avg 72.4 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

11.2%

State avg 11.9%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

67

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

268

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

19.8%

State avg 22.4%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

23.4

per 100K residentsCDC: 66.5 per 100K

Dentists

3.7

per 100K residents

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

19.7

per 100K residents

Provider counts from CMS NPPES (National Provider Identifier Registry). Data current as of 2026.

Chronic Disease & Behavioral Health

These prevalence estimates come from the CDC PLACES program (Population-Level Analysis and Community Estimates), which combines BRFSS survey data with statistical modeling to produce county-level rates. Estimates are age-adjusted to enable fair comparisons across counties with different age distributions. Use them to spot where Putnam County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasurePutnamState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity38.8%39.9%37.6%1.1 pts better than state
Diabetes11.7%12.3%11.2%0.6 pts better than state
High Blood Pressure35.9%37.1%33.5%1.2 pts better than state
Depression29.2%30.8%24.1%1.6 pts better than state

Health-risk behaviors

MeasurePutnamState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking18.8%20.7%16.3%1.9 pts better than state
Binge Drinking14.8%15.6%17.8%0.8 pts better than state
Physical Inactivity25.5%28.4%27.0%2.9 pts better than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasurePutnamState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup75.5%75.4%74.9%near state average
Dental Visit (past year)56.8%54.4%57.3%2.4 pts better than state
Mammography (women 50–74)68.0%71.9%73.3%3.9 pts worse than state

Daily-life impact

MeasurePutnamState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress20.8%21.7%18.6%0.9 pts better than state
Short Sleep Duration37.5%40.0%37.3%2.5 pts better than state

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Putnam County nationally on mammography (women 50–74).

Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.

Data Story

Putnam County Surpasses National Median for Mental Health Providers

Health data brief for Putnam County, Tennessee.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Mental health access

Putnam County stands out in the region with 268 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national median of 250 per 100,000. In contrast, the county has 67 primary care providers per 100,000, which is just below the national median of 70. The uninsured rate in Putnam County is 11.2%, which is lower than the Tennessee state average of 11.9% but slightly higher than the national average of 10%. Approximately 19.8% of adults report poor or fair health, which is higher than the national average of 17%. Life expectancy in the county is 73.4 years, exceeding the state average of 72.4 years but trailing the national average of 77 years. All information provided is from standard federal health tracking systems. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.

Get Care in Putnam County, Tennessee

Direct contact information for hospitals and community health resources serving this county. Hospital quality ratings come from CMS Care Compare — the federal program that measures hospital performance on safety, patient experience, and outcomes.

Cookeville Regional Medical Center

ER
2/5
(931) 783-2000
1 Medical Center Boulevard, Cookeville, TN 38501
Acute Care HospitalsGovernment - Local

Sources: Hospital data: CMS Care Compare. Quality ratings: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Community health center directory: HRSA. Last reviewed 2026-05-14.

Information is for general guidance only and is not medical advice. Always call ahead to confirm services, hours, and insurance accepted. In a medical emergency, dial 911.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Putnam County, TN?
Putnam County has a health score of 37/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #19 out of 95 counties in Tennessee (1 = healthiest). The score is based on CDC County Health Rankings data, combining life expectancy, uninsured rates, provider access, and behavioral health indicators.
What is the life expectancy in Putnam County?
Life expectancy in Putnam County is 73.4 years. The Tennessee state average is 72.4 years, making Putnam County above the state average.
How does Putnam County health compare to the Tennessee average?
Putnam County's health score of 37/100 is above the Tennessee average of 29/100. Life expectancy is 73.4 years vs. the state average of 72.4 years. The uninsured rate is 11.2% vs. 11.9% statewide.
What health factors affect Putnam County?
Key health factors for Putnam County include: life expectancy (73.4 years), uninsured rate (11.2%), and primary care physician access (67:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 268:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Putnam County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 37/100 ("Below Average"), Putnam County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Tennessee. Residents have a life expectancy of 73.4 years. 11.2% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
Why is Putnam County healthier than the Tennessee average?
Putnam County's health score of 37/100 exceeds the Tennessee average of 29/100. Higher health scores often correlate with better access to healthcare providers, lower uninsured rates, higher median incomes, and environmental factors.

Counties with Similar Health Profile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

Data Sources

Health data sourced from the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.

Data is informational only. Not medical or health advice. Coverage varies by county and reporting year.