April is Stress Awareness and Medicaid Awareness Month
Stress Awareness
April is recognized as National Stress Awareness Month. It is important to identify and manage stress to improve mental and physical well-being. When your body reacts to too much stress it can lead to anxiety and other health issues. Learn about stress and your health, coping techniques, or when to recognize when you need more help. Contact your health plan for online tools, resources, and additional support. Below are some helpful resources for managing stress.
Activities
What makes people stressed and how can they get help? Complete the April Stress Relief Survey about your stress. For an extra entry you can also complete the 30 Day Challenge Calendar. Download or screenshot and fill in the calendar with your stress reducing activities. Try to complete each day and keep track of your stress relief. The survey will be open from April 1-30 and a raffle winner will be chosen on May 3, 2024.
Medicaid Awareness
Medicaid Awareness Month is also in April! In California, the Medicaid program is called Medi-Cal. Medi-Cal offers no-cost and low-cost health coverage to eligible people who live in California. Having health insurance can make a difference in your health, whether it is used for preventative care or emergencies. California offers two ways to get health coverage: “Medi-Cal” and “Covered California”. Covered California is the State’s health insurance marketplace. If your income is too high for Medi-Cal, you may qualify to purchase health insurance through Covered California.
Medi-Cal
Medi-Cal Dental Program
- The Medi-Cal Dental Program covers many services to keep your teeth healthy. You can get dental benefits as soon as you are approved for Medi-Cal. To learn more about the dental services offered by the Medi-Cal Dental Program visit myMedi-Cal.
- If you have any questions or need assistance finding a dental provider, call the Medi-Cal Dental Customer Service Line at (800) 322-6384, or visit Smile, California.
|
March is National Nutrition Month and Poison Prevention Week (17-23)
Healthy Eating for Your Family
National Nutrition Month®, is an annual campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, which takes place during the month of March. It invites everyone to learn about making informed food choices and developing healthful eating and physical activity habits. This campaign emphasizes the importance of meaningful nutrition decisions and overall well-being. 
Benefits of healthy eating:
- Children get the foods they need to learn, play, and grow healthfully.
- Children and adults are less likely to be overweight.
- Children are less likely to develop diabetes or cardiovascular disease later in life.
Healthy Meals and Snacks Tips:
When making meals you should look for ingredients in the following categories: Dairy, Vegetables, Fruits, Grains, and Protein.
- Meals: Aim for at least 1 food from each group of the 5 food groups.
- Snacks: Aim for foods from 2-3 of the food groups. Think of snacks as mini meals. For healthy snack ideas, view this kids(PDF, 483KB) or adults(PDF, 501KB) guide.
- Choose Less Often: Foods that are highly processed, contain added sugars, and offer no nutrients. For example, candy, sugary drinks, and fried foods.
Children may need to taste, touch, and smell new foods many times before accepting them.
More Resources
National Poison Prevention Week (March 17-23)
National Poison Prevention Week (NPPW) is observed every third week in March. Its purpose is to raise awareness about poison prevention and safety. The theme for this year is: “When the unexpected happens, Poison Help is here for you 24/7.” If you need assistance related to medications, cleaning products, insect bites, food poisoning, or liquid nicotine, don’t hesitate to call Poison Help. They’re there to provide guidance and support, at no cost.
Be aware! There are lots of items that could be dangerous to the health and well-being of your family. 
- household cleaning products
- prescription and over-the-counter medications
- pesticides
- and other common items that can be hazardous
Tips to prevent poisoning:
- Cleaning out your medicine cabinet regularly and locking it or keep it stored away from children
- Keeping all chemicals out of sight from children
- Keeping all items in its original container
March is the start of Spring, do some spring cleaning! It’s perfect time to deep clean the rooms in your home, get rid of old and outdated products, and open windows when using strong chemicals to allow air into the house.
For more information call the poison center: 1-800-222-1222
|
February is Heart Health Month and Children’s Dental Month
Heart Health
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the in the United States. It affects all ages, genders, and ethnicities. Risk factors for heart disease are high blood pressure,  high cholesterol, and smoking. Some medical conditions and lifestyle choices can also put people at higher risk. They include, diabetes, overweight and obesity, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and excessive alcohol use. This is why in February, National Heart Health Month, we raise awareness on the importance of keeping a healthy heart and encouraging healthy habits. There are many ways heart disease can be prevented and things you can do the reduce your risk. Choosing to live a healthy lifestyle and take charge of your medical conditions is very important to maintain a healthy heart. 
Additional Resources
Children's Dental
National Children's Dental Month is also observed in February to promote the benefits of good oral health in children. Cavities, or tooth decay, is the most chronic disease in childhood. Children with untreated cavities can have pain and infections that may lead to problems with eating, speaking, playing, and learning. With poor oral health, they are more likely to miss more school and receive lower grades than their peers with better oral health. However, tooth decay is preventable. You can help your child protect and maintain their teeth by teaching them good oral habits early. Also, eating a balanced diet from all the food groups and limiting sugary foods and drinks will help keep your child’s teeth strong and gum healthy. With good oral hygiene, children are more likely to avoid health issues like heart disease and diabetes.
Additional Resources
Medi-Cal Has Dental Services Covered
National Children’s Dental Health Month | Smile California
Children's Oral Health | Basics | Children's Oral Health | Division of Oral Health | CDC
|
January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month
The CDC estimates that about one in every 33 babies is born with a birth defect in the United States each year. They are common, costly, and critical conditions that are the leading cause of infant mortality. Although not all birth defects can be prevented, you can take steps to reduce the risk and increase your chances of having a healthy baby.
Doing what is best for you is also best for your baby! Here are steps you can take to prevent birth defects.
- See your healthcare provider regularly and start prenatal care as soon as you think you might be pregnant. 
- Get 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid every day, starting at least one month before getting pregnant.
- Don’t drink alcohol or smoke.
- Talk to a healthcare provider about any medications you are taking or thinking about taking.
- Know how to prevent infections during pregnancy.
- Be proactive in identifying and treating fever when ill or after getting a vaccine. Treat fevers higher than 101oF and avoid hot tubs, saunas, or other environments that might cause overheating.
- If possible, be sure any medical conditions are under control, before becoming pregnant.
Pregnancy is an exciting time, but it also can be stressful. Knowing that you are doing all that you can to get ready for pregnancy, staying healthy during pregnancy, and giving your baby a healthy start in life will help you to have peace of mind.
Additional Resources
Birth defects and your baby | March of Dimes
What are Birth Defects? | CDC
Folic Acid | CDC
Folic Acid Flyer-English(PDF, 871KB)| Folic Acid Flyer-Spanish(PDF, 1MB)
|