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

   Provides information and referrals to the public and professionals. Focuses on the delivery of health services in rural areas.

· GRIEF

Grief Recovery Institute

     800-445-4808

   Provides counseling services on coping with loss.

· HEAD INJURY...HEADACHE

National Headache Foundation

     80~843-2256

   Literature on various headache causes and treatment.

National Head & Brain Injury Family Helpline

    800-444-6443

   Dedicated to improving quality of life of head and brain injury victims and their families.

· HEARING AND SPEECH

Dial-a-Hearing Screening Test

    800-222-3277

   Answers questions on hearing problems and makes referrals to local numbers for a two-minute hearing test. Makes referrals to organizations with information on hearing problems.

· Hearing Helpline

    800-327-9355

    703-642-0580 in Virginia

   Information on better hearing and preventing deafness. Service of Better Hearing Institute.

Hear Now

    800-6484327

   Distributes reconditioned hearing aids. Provides services for hearing-impaired people who do not have the financial resources to purchase aids.

John Tracy Clinic

    800-522-4582

   Diagnostic, rehabilitative and educational services to preschool deaf children and their families via on-site services, and to preschool

deaf and deaf-blind via correspondence courses.

Lead Line

    80~352-8888

    800-287-4763 in California

   Information on deafness and raising and educating a deaf child. Referrals to parents, professionals and resources.

Meniere's Network

    800-5454327,ext.301

    Information about Meniere's disease.

· HOSPICE CARE

Children's Hospice International

    800-242-4453

   Provides support and information for health care professionals, families and organizations for hospice care to terminally ill children.

Hospice Education Institute Hospice Link

    800-331-1620

   Provides information about hospice care and makes referrals to local programs.

· HUNTINGTON'S DISEASE

Huntington's Disease Society of America

    800-345-4372

   Offers information on the disease and makes referrals to local chapters. Answers questions on presymptomatic testing.

· IMPOTENCE/PROSTATE

 Impotence Information Center

     800-843-4315, impotence information

     800-543-9632, prostate information

    Free information to prospective patients about causes of and treatments for impotence.

 · INSURANCE. ..MEDICARE

 Medicare Telephone Hotline

     800-638-6833

    Gives information on Medicare issues and Medigap insurance. A service of the

 Health Care Financing Administration, US Department of Health and Human Services.

 National Insurance Consumer Helpline

     800-942-4242

    Represents life, health, property and casualty insurance companies. Information on policies and technical language.

 · KIDNEY DISEASE

 See UROLOGICAL DISORDERS

 · LIBRARY SERVICES

 Captioned Films/Videos Program

     800-237-6213

    Captioned films for the deaf and the hearing impaired.

National Library of Medicine

     800-272-4787

   The world's largest medical library provides referrals to a network of 3,000-plus medical libraries nationwide. Operates on-line computer databases of health-related information.

National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped

     800-424-8567

   Network of 56 regional and 100+ local libraries that work with Library of Congress to provide library services to the visually or physically impaired. Audio and Braille formats.

Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic

     800-221-4792

   Serves those who can't read standard print because of a learning or physical disability. Provides textbooks on tape and computer diskettes.

· LIVER DISEASES

American Liver Foundation

     800-223-0179

   Provides fact sheets and other information. Offers physician and support group referrals.

· LUNG DISEASE...ALLERGY...

ASTHMA

- Allergy and Asthma Information Line

     800-822-2762

   Provides written materials on asthma and allergies. Service of American Academy of Allergy and Immunology.

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America Information Clearinghouse

     800-727-8462

   Provides general information, publications and videos and referrals to physicians.

Lung Line Information Service

     800-222-5864

   Information about asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, allergies, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and respiratory and immune system disorders. Service of National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine.

· LUPUS

Lupus Foundation of America

     800-5580121

   Answers basic questions about the disease and provides health professionals and patients and their families with information and literature. Makes referrals to local affliates.

· MEDICARE

See INSURANCE...MEDICARE

· MENTAL HEALTH

Depression Awareness

     800-421-4211

   Free literature about depression, its debilitating effects on society and information about where to get effective treatments. Operated by National Institute of Mental Health.

National Foundation for Depressive Illness

         800-2484344

       Describes symptoms of depression and offers sufferers information and physician referrals.

National Mental Health Association

     800-969-6642

   Referrals to mental health groups, provides information and warning signs of illness.

· MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

Multiple Sclerosis Association of America

    800-532-7667

   Information on issues relating to MS.

· IMYASTHENIA GRAVIS

Myasthenia Gravis Foundation

    800-541-5454

    Information about services for myasthenia gravis patients. Promotes public awareness.

· NUTRITION

American Dietetic Association Hotline

    800-36~1655

    Dietetic and nutrition information.

American Institute for Cancer Research Nutrition Hotline

    800-843-8114

   Provides educational resources regarding diet, nutrition and prevention of cancer...help for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

· ORGAN DONATION AND TRANSPLANTS

 See also UROLOGICAL DISORDERS

 The Living Bank

    800-528-2971

    Registry and referrals for those who want to donate tissues, bones or vital organs for trans plantation or research. General information about organ donation and transplantation.

 National Marrow Donor Program

     800-627-7692

    Recruits donors and provides information to patients in need of a marrow transplant.

 Organ Donor Hotline

     800-243-6667

    Provides information and makes referrals for organ donation and transplantation. Answers requests about organ donor cards.

 · PARALYSIS AND

 SPINAL CORD INJURY

 See also DISABILITIES

 American Paralysis Association

     800-225-0292

    Funds research seeking to find a cure for paralysis.

 National Rehabilitation Information Center

     800-346-2742

    Research referrals and information on rehabilitation issues and concerns.

  National Spinal Cord Injury Association

     800~962-9629

     Information on research. Referrals to local chapters and other organizations. Mails out New Injury and General Information packets.

  · PARKINSON'S DISEASE

  National Parkinson Foundation

  800-327-4545

  800-433-7022 in Florida

      Nurses answer questions about the disease. Provides physician referrals and materials.