Client Health Education
Most links on this page are links to sites that are outside to control of the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services.
DMAS has joined with VCU Health System to provide health care information through the Community Outreach Information Network where you can find information about diseases and their treatments.
Click on the topics below for information on health topics that may be of interest to you:
Asthma (Adult/ Pediatric)
Diabetes (Type1, Type 2)
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
Pediatric Dental Care (Smiles For Children)
Other Topics of Interest (VCU-Community Health Education Center)
VCU Community Outreach Information Network (in Spanish)
Do you qualify for Medicaid?
To see if you qualify for health insurance under Virginia Medicaid, please contact your local Department of Social Services (DSS).
Click here for a list of DSS offices
Not eligible for Medicaid…Click below to learn how to get health insurance for your children:
FAMIS (Child Health Insurance Program)
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What is Asthma?
Asthma is a disease that causes the airways of the lungs to tighten.
An asthma attack is when your lungs are not getting enough air to breathe. A person may be having an asthma attack if he or she has:
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Trouble breathing
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Wheezing
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Coughing
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Chest pain
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Chest tightness
Click on the topics below for helpful information on ASTHMA:
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American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI)
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Asthma and Allergy Foundation (in Spanish)
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Community Health Education Center (Asthma)
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VCU Health System (Adult Asthma)
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VCU Health System (Pediatric Asthma)
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DIABETES (TYPE 1, TYPE 2)
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life.
There are two major types of diabetes called type 1 and type 2.
Type 1
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Also called insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), or juvenile onset diabetes mellitus.
Type 2
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Also called non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), or adult onset diabetes mellitus (AODM).
Click on the topics below for helpful information on Diabetes (Type 1, Type 2):
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Community Health Education Center (Diabetes)
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VCU Health System (Adult Diabetes)
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VCU Health System (Pediatric Diabetes)
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CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE (CAD) AND
CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE (CHF)
What is Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)?
Coronary Artery Disease occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle (the coronary arteries) become hardened and narrowed.
The arteries harden and narrow due to buildup of a material called plaque (plak) on their inner walls.
As the plaque increases in size, the insides of the coronary arteries get narrower and less blood can flow through them, meaning the heart gets less oxygen.
Click on the topics below for helpful information on Coronary Artery Disease:
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Community Health Education Center (Heart Disease and Stroke)
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VCU Health System (Coronary Heart Disease)
What is Congestive Heart Failure ?
The words "heart failure" sound scary, but they do not mean that your heart has suddenly stopped working. Instead, heart failure means your heart is not pumping as well as it should to deliver oxygen to your body's cells.
Click on the topics below for helpful information on Congestive Heart Failure:
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VCU Health System (Congestive Heart Failure)
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Congratulations! You’re about to have a baby. Now it’s time to take care of you and, of course, it’s never too early to take care of your new baby. In fact, research shows that you can have a healthier baby if you:
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Get regular Prenatal Care
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Take your vitamins
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Make sure you have enough Folic Acid
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Avoid
The following links will help you learn more about pregnancy:
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FAMIS MOMS (in Spanish)
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March of Dimes (Pregnancy and Newborn Health Education Center)
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March of Dimes (Pregnancy and Newborn Health Education Center) (in Spanish)
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VCU Health System (Pregnancy and Childbirth)
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It takes a lot of time, energy, and planning to keep a well-child happy and healthy.
Below are some resources to help keep your child healthy.
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VCU Health System (Well-Child Schedule of Doctor’s visits)
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Healthbites (healthful food choices for busy families)
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VCU Health System (Pediatrics)
The following links will help you learn more about your WELL-CHILD:
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Child Development (Ages 0 – 3)
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Child Development (in Spanish)
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Kids Health (in Spanish)
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FamilyDoctor.org (Health information from the American Academy of Family Physicians)
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FamilyDoctor.org (in Spanish)