Information Guide

Health and Health Care in the U.S.

Use the links to your left to find resources about health and health care in the U.S. You can also download a PDF version: English, Spanish, Arabic, Vietnamese, Russian

  • Hospitals are places that give medical, surgical or mental health care. Care is usually for very sick or injured people. Hospital care is sometimes called “acute” care. If you need to find a hospital, use the[Finding a Hospital] link to the left.
  • Free or Low Cost Health Care Services especially help uninsured and low income people. Routine and normal illnesses can be treated at Free clinics, Community Health Center Clinics, mobile clinics, and some Health Department clinics. If you need to find one of these types of clinics in Virginia, use the [Free and Low Cost Care] link to the left.
  • You may be able to get help from the state of Virginia or the U.s. Government if you do not have insurance from an employer. There are several government programs for which you or your family members may qualify. If you need to find information about Government help in Virginia, click the [Government help] link on the left.
  • Medicine in the U.S. Can be expensive. If you need help paying for your medicine or need to find programs that may have low rates for people who need help, click the [Medication Assistance] link on the left.
  • A help line is a telephone, email or web service that offers help, support, or access to information to those who call, text or email. If you need help or information in Spanish regarding health care questions or issues, click the [Hispanic Help Lines] link on the left.
  • Birth control is the use of methods, devices or medications to prevent pregnancy in woman who are sexually active. For information about birth control, click the [Family and Birth Control] link on the left
  • Women infants and Children (WIC) is a food program for women, infants and children. You have to meet some criteria for services. For information about WIC or assistance in Virginia, click the [Women, Infants, and Children] link on the left.
  • Care for the Elderly refers to services that meet the needs of and help to care for older adults. If you need information or want to find services for elderly people, click the [Care for the Elderly] link on the left.
  • Mental illness in the U.S. is usually treated separately from physical illness. There are different sets of professionals who provide mental health care. Most doctors can refer you to a mental health professional. If you need mental health care or assistance with Mental Retardation or Substance Abuse Services, click the [Mental Health Care] link on the left.
  • 24 Hour hotlines are telephone lines that give quick and direct access to a source of information or help related to a specific topic or issue. If you need information or assistance with an abusive situation, missing children, certain illnesses and other crisis or emergency situations, click the [24 hour Hotline] link to the left.
  • Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior between intimate partners, family members, or those with close ties when one person uses fear, intimidation and the threat or use of violence to control another person. If you need information or assistance with a domestic violence situation, click the [Domestic Violence] link on the left.
  • As a patient in the United States you have certain rights that must be observed, including a right to the privacy of your health information, the right to be treated with respect, the right to informed consent, the right to file a complaint and the right to communicate and be understood by your health care professionals if you do not speak English. To learn more about your rights, click the [Patients Rights] link on the left.
  • Refugee and immigrant Services in Virginia offer help with resettling, health assessment and material support. To learn more about what services are available in Virginia, click the [Refugee and Immigrant Services] link to the left.

Additional Resources

This list may help you find places to get care near you. Not all health care facilities in the state are in this list. For more information contact your local department of social services to help you find a place to get care.