Resources & Contacts for Health Organizations
See also Monthly Health Awareness Notices
Please view our online disclaimer regarding information.
 

·ADOPTION

 See also PREGNANCY

 Bethany Christian Services     

    800-238-4269

    Services for women considering adoption. Free pregnancy counseling.

 National Adoption Center     

    800-862-3678

     215-735-9988 in Pennsylvania

    Promotes adoption opportunities through-out the US, particularly for children with special needs. Links all state adoption agencies. Addresses adoption and child welfare issues.

 · AGING

 National Council on Aging

     800-424-9046

    Information on family care-giving, senior employment, long-term care, etc.

 National Institute on Aging Information Center

     800-222-2225

    Information about healthy aging. Provides literature and referrals to organizations

 dealing with specific age-related illnesses.

 · AIDS...HIV

 AIDS Clinical Trials Information Service

     800-874-2572

    Information on federally and privately sponsored clinical trials for AIDS patients and those with HIV infection. Sponsored by Centers for Disease Control, Food and Drug Administration, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and National Library of Medicine.

 National AIDS Clearinghouse

     800-4585231

    Classifies and distributes information and educational materials...provides assistance to AIDS prevention professionals. Service of the Centers for Disease Control.

 · ALCOHOLISM

 See also DRUG ABUSE

 Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters

     800-35~9996

    Offers publications aimed at helping families dealing with alcoholism.

 American Council on Alcoholism

     800-527-5344

    Treatment referrals and counseling for recovering alcoholics and their families.

 · ALLERGY...ASTHMA

 See LUNG DISEASE...ALLERGY... ASTHMA

 · ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

 Alzheimer's Association

     800-272-3900

    Makes referrals to local chapters and support groups. Publications available.

 Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center

     800-4384380

    Information and literature on Alzheimer's. Sponsored by National Institute on Aging.

· ARTHRITIS

 Arthritis Foundation Information Line

     800-283-7800

    Provides information on arthritis and makes referrals to local chapters.

· CANCER

See also NUTRITION

American Cancer Society Response Line

800-227-2345

Publications and information on cancer. Makes local referrals to local chapters of the American Cancer Society for support services.

 Cancer Information Service

800-422-6237

Answers questions from the public, cancer patients, their families and health professionals.

Y-Me Breast Cancer Support Program

800-221-2141

Provides breast cancer patients with pre-surgery counseling, treatment  information, peer support, self-help counseling and literature.

· CEREBRAL PALSY

United Cerebral Palsy Association

800-872-5827

Answers questions and provides literature about cerebral palsy, including living with the illness, support groups for patients and families. Referrals to doctors and treatment centers.

· CHEMICALS...PESTICIDES

See also SAFETY

National Pesticide Telecommunications Network

800-8587378

Responds to nonemergency questions about the pesticides, toxicology and symptoms, environmental effects, disposal and cleanup and safe use of pesticides...and emergency questions from home owners, medical professionals and veterinarians. Service of Environmental Protection Agency and Texas Tech University.

· CHILD DEVELOPMENT

Human Growth Foundation

800-451-6434/703-883-1773 in northern Virginia

Provides parent education, supports research and promotes awareness of physical and emotional problems of short people. Offers literature on child growth abnormalities.

· CHILD SAFETY...

MISSING CHILDREN

Child Find of America, Inc.

800-426-5678: Looks for missing and abducted children.

800-292-9688: Crisis mediation in parental abduction and information on  prevention.

Covenant House Nineline

800-999-9999

Crisis line for youth and their families. Makes referrals throughout the US. Information on drugs, physical or sexual abuse, homelessness, runaway children. Message relays.

National Child Abuse Hotline

800-422-4453

Provides crisis intervention and counseling on child abuse. Referrals to local counseling.

National Child Safety Council Childwatch

800-222-1464

Information and literature on safety, including drug abuse, household dangers, electricity and more. Sponsor of the missing kids milk carton program.

 · CLEFT PALATE

 Cleft Palate Foundation

      800-242-5338

 Information for parents and health professionals, referrals to support groups...lists of plastic surgeons, dentists and speech pathologists. Does not make referrals to physicians.

 · CYSTIC FIBROSIS

 Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

      800·344-4823

    Responds to patient and family questions. Provides literature. Referrals to clinics.

 · DEPRESSION

 See MENTAL HEALTH

 · DIABETES

 American Diabetes Association

     800-232-3472

     703-549-1500 in Virginia

    Provides information on health education and referrals to support-group assistance.

 Juvenile Diabetes Foundation

 International Hotline

      800-223-1138

      212-785-9595 in New York

Answers questions and provides brochures about juvenile diabetes. Makes referrals to local chapters, physicians and clinics.

 · DIGESTIVE DISEASES

 Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America

     800-932-2423

     212-685-3440 in New York

Provides educational materials on Crohn's disease and colitis. Makes referrals to local support groups and physicians.

 · DISABILITIES

 See also HEARING AND SPEECH

 HEATH Resource Center

      800-544-3284

      202-939-9320 in Washington, DC

    Information on post-secondary education for the handicapped and learning-disabled.

 Job Accommodation Network

     800-526-7234

     800-526-2262 in Canada

    Ideas for accommodating handicapped persons in the workplace and information on availability of accommodation aids and procedures.

 National Clearinghouse on Family

 Support and Children's Mental Health

      800-628-1696

    Makes referrals to local support groups. Provides general and financial information.

National Easter Seal Society

     800-221-6827

     312-726-6200 in Illinois

    Provides rehabilitative and other support services to help children and adults with disabilities achieve maximum independence.

 National Information Clearinghouse for Infants with Disabilities and Life-Threatening Conditions

      800-922-1107 in South Carolina

    Makes referrals to support groups and financial, medical, legal and educational assistance for families with disabled children.

 National Rehabilitation Information

     800-346-2742

     301-5889284 in Maryland

    Provides literature searches and referrals to local organizations and disseminates rehabilitation-related information to disabled people.

 · DOWN'S SYNDROME

 National Down's Syndrome Congress

      800-232-6372

    Answers questions about Down’s syndrome. Makes referrals to local organizations.

 National Down's Syndrome Society

      800-221-4602

    Provides information on Down's syndrome and makes referrals to local programs.

 · DRUG ABUSE

 Adcare Hospital Helpline

      800-252-6465

    Provides information about and referrals for alcohol and other drug concerns.

 Center for Substance Abuse

 Treatment--National Drug Hotline

      800-662-4357

    Information on drug abuse and AIDS as it relates to intravenous drug users.

Offers referrals to drug-rehahilitation centers. Service of National Institute on Drug Abuse.

 National Clearinghouse for Alcohol & Drug Information

     800-729-6686

     301-468-2600 in Marylarld

    Provides information on alcohol- and drug-related subjects. Sponsored by Center for Subtance Abuse Prevention.

 · DYSLEXIA

 The Orton Dyslexia Society

      800-222-3123

    Information on testing and computers to aid those with dyslexia and other disorders.

 · ENDOMETRIOSIS

 See WOMEN

 · ENVIRONMENT

 Indoor Air Quality Clearinghouse

      800-438-4318

    Information about indoor air quality including the health effects of passive smoke, formaldehyde and various pollutants.

 National Lead Information Center Hotline

      800-532-3394

    Provides information about lead poisoning prevention…referrals to state and local agencies.

 National Radon Hotline

      800-SOS-RADON

    Answers questions and provides information on how to detect and reduce radon in your home. Operated by Natinal Safety Council.

 Safe Drinking Water Hotline

      800-426-4791

    Provides general and technical information on safe drinking water regulations. Makes referrals to other EPA orginizations. Does not provide site specific information on water quality or testing.

 · EPILEPSY

 The Epilepsy Foundation of America

      800-332-1000

Provides information on epilepsy and makes referrals to local chapters.

· ETHICS

Joseph and Rose Kennedy Institute of

Ethics, National Reference Center for

Bioethics Literature, Georgetown University

800-633-3849

     202-687-3885 in Washington, DC

   Provides reference assistance and conducts free searches on bioethical topics.

· FIRE PREVENTION

National Fire Protection Association

     800-344-3555

   Develops fire-protection codes and standards and provides information on fire prevention, firefighting procedures and fire safety.

· FOOD SAFETY

FDA Center far Food Safety and

Applied Nutrition Hotline

     800-332-4010

   Answers general questions about food safety and specific illnesses caused by bacteria infood.

Meat and Poultry Hotline

     800-535-4555

   Provides hints on handling, preparation, storage and cooking of meat, poultry and eggs. Sponsored by US Department of Agriculture.

· GENERAL HEALTH

Medic Alert Foundation

     800-432-5378

   Emergency service for people who, because of injury, illness or disability, may be unable to speak for themselves. Members wear numbered Medic Alert bracelets or necklaces.

National Health Information Center

     800-33~4797

   Central source of information and refenal for questions from health educators, health professionals and the general public. Service of the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, US Department of Health and Human Services.

Rural Information Center Health Service

    800-633-7701

     301-504-5547 in Washington, DC area