Health Education

Promoting health education in our community is a key part of our mission at Putnam County Health Department. Click below to learn about select programs available in our region. If you’re searching for a particular program not listed on this page, please contact the Health Department and we will do our best to connect you.

Facilitated by the American Diabetes Association, this program is designed for those recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The Living With Type 2 Diabetes program is free and offers participants an opportunity to learn about diabetes and diabetes management gradually over a 12-month period.

This program provides:

  • Six e-booklets, each with a topic aimed to meet the participants where they are after diagnosis
  • Monthly e-newsletter offering seasonal tips and resources to help the participant thrive with diabetes
  • Information about local community events
  • Healthy Living newsletter

Additionally, enrollees who submit their phone number receive an invitation to participate in the monthly ask the Experts Q&A series, where participants can:

  • Ask their diabetes-related questions to ADA experts
  • Join online or on the phone
  • Learn the link between diabetes and heart health
  • Receive giveaways to help them thrive with diabetes

To enroll in the program, click here.

The Group Lifestyle BalanceTM Program provides education, encouragement and the tools necessary to help individuals reach their healthy lifestyle goals. This program is designed for overweight adults who have pre–diabetes and/or metabolic syndrome – conditions that increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

The goals of the Group Lifestyle BalanceTM program are to:

  • Lose 7% of weight through healthy eating
  • Do 150 minutes of brisk, physical activity each week

Individuals who enroll in the Group Lifestyle BalanceTM program will:

  • Participate in a one-year Group Lifestyle BalanceTMProgram that includes:
    • A core program consisting of 12 weekly sessions
    • A transition program consisting of 4 bi-weekly/monthly sessions
    • A support program consisting of 6 monthly sessions
  • Self–monitor weight
  • Track and learn more about healthy eating and physical activity
  • Learn how to problem-solve and stay motivated

The evidence–based Group Lifestyle BalanceTM program, adapted from the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), is designed to help individuals make lifestyle changes to both prevent diabetes and prevent or treat metabolic syndrome.

In our region, this program is offered through the West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services. For more information, contact Deloris Wilder at (304) 558-3317, Ext. 109, or by email at deloris.j.wilder@wv.gov.

Dining with Diabetes is a series of classes facilitated by WVU Extension that helps people living with diabetes better understand how to successfully self-manage their condition.

Classes run once a week for four consecutive weeks with a follow-up class will be scheduled three to four months later. Classes are offered at varying times throughout the day to provide participants with flexible options. Participants are expected to attend all classes.

Dining with Diabetes is a free program that is open to individuals with diabetes or pre-diabetes, their family members, and their caregivers.

You can learn more about the program and register for virtual classes here.

The Family Nutrition Program (FNP) is comprised of numerous nutrition, food and physical activity projects designed to help limited-resource families, youths, and adults improve their health. FNP targets risk factors associated with obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension and other chronic diseases.

FNP encourages the adoption of healthy lifestyle behaviors by:

  • Teaching nutrition education using the USDA’s MyPlate and Dietary Guidelines
  • Providing food demonstrations
  • Improving access and availability to local community resources
  • Helping participants to stretch their food dollars, plan menus and read food labels
  • Encouraging participants to devote more time to being physically active

For upcoming events associated with this program, check out WVU Extension’s Facebook page or visit their website here.

BABY & ME™ Tobacco Free Program is a smoking cessation program created to reduce the burden of tobacco use on pregnant and post-partum women. Women who quit smoking are less likely to have premature and low-birth-weight babies. Maintaining smoking cessation after the baby is born extends the positive health outcomes for women and their families by reducing the damaging effects of secondhand smoke. This results in healthier mothers, healthier babies, and overall healthier communities. Studies show a 60% quit rate for women who enroll.

Putnam County WIC is now offering this program for qualifying women. Contact the WIC office at (304) 757-4200 or Toll-Free at 1 (800) 566-4201.

To learn more about the program, click here. 

To find additional resources from our community outreach partners, click here.

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Contact Information

Phone: (304) 757-2541 | Fax: (304) 757-7287
Email: putnamlhd@wv.gov
Physical Address: 11878 Winfield Road, Winfield, WV 25213
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 892, Winfield, WV 25213

Partners

Putnam County 4-H
Putnam Wellness Coalition
Tri-County YMCA
Try This WV
WV Immunization Network
WVU Extension – Putnam County