Federal Health Information Centers and Clearinghouses The Federal Government operates many clearinghouses and information centers that focus on specific topics. Their services include distributing publications, providing referrals, and answering inquiries. Many offer toll-free numbers. The clearinghouses are listed below by keyword. National Institute on AGING Information Center P.O. Box 8057 Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8057 (800)222-2225 (301)587-2528 (301)589-3014 (Fax) Provides information and publications on topics of interest to older adults to the public and to doctors, nurses, social activities directors, and health educators. Assists in the development, production, and printing of new publications. U.S. Department of AGRICULTURE Extension Service See the listing in the Government section of your telephone book for your local extension office. Provides information on health, nutrition, fitness, and family well being. Centers for Disease Control National AIDS Clearinghouse P.O. Box 6003 Rockville, MD 20849-6003 (800)458-5231 (800)342-AIDS (English hotline) (800)344-SIDA (Spanish hotline) (800)243-7012 (TT) (301)738-6616 (Fax) Responds to the needs of health professionals involved in AIDS programs; ensures access to information on AIDS; provides technical assistance to organizations involved in the fight against AIDS, particularly State health departments; assists in the development and assessment of resources; supports all AIDS information delivery services of the Centers for Disease Control; and distributes publications. The Resource Center is open to the public by appointment. Office for Substance Abuse Prevention's National Clearinghouse for ALCOHOL and Drug Information P.O. Box 2345 Rockville, MD 20847-2345 (800)729-6686 (301)468-2600 (800)487-4889 (TT) (301)468-6433 (Fax) Gathers and disseminates information on alcohol and other drug- related subjects. Distributes publications. Services include subject searches and provision of statistics and other information. Operates the Regional Alcohol and Drug Awareness Resource, a nationwide linkage of drug information centers. Maintains a library open to the public. National Institute of ALLERGY and Infectious Diseases Office of Communications Building 31, Room 7A32 9000 Rockville Pike Bethesda, MD 20892 (301)496-5717 (301)402-0120 (Fax) Distributes publications to the public and to doctors, nurses, and researchers. ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE Education and Referral Center P.O. Box 8250 Silver Spring, MD 20907 (800)438-4380 (301)587-4352 (Fax) Sponsored by the National Institute on Aging. Provides information and publications on Alzheimer's disease to health and service professionals, patients and their families, caregivers, and the general public. National ARTHRITIS and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information Clearinghouse P.O. Box AMS 9000 Rockville Pike Bethesda, MD 20892 (301)495-4484 (301)587-4352 (Fax) Identifies educational materials about arthritis and musculoskeletal diseases and serves as an information exchange for individuals and organizations involved in public, professional, and patient education. Conducts subject searches and makes resource referrals. National AUDIOVISUAL Center National Archives and Records Administration 8700 Edgeworth Drive Capitol Heights, MD 20743-3701 (800)788-6282 (301)763-1896 (in Metropolitan Washington, DC) (301)763-6025 (Fax) Sells and rents more than 8,000 federally produced audiovisual programs. Provides catalogs and referrals to free-loan sources at no cost. Several catalogs cover health-related topics, including alcohol and other drug abuse, dentistry, emergency medical services, industrial safety, medicine, and nursing. National Library Service for the BLIND and Physically Handicapped Library of Congress 1291 Taylor Street NW. Washington, DC 20542 (800)424-8567 (202)707-5100 (202)707-0712 (Fax) A network of 56 regional and over 100 local libraries that work in cooperation with the Library of Congress to provide free library service to anyone who is visually or physically impaired. Delivers recorded and Braille books and magazines to eligible readers. Specially designed phonographs and cassette players are also loaned. A list of participating local and regional libraries is available. CANCER Information Service NIH/Office of Cancer Communications Building 31, Room 10A16 9000 Rockville Pike Bethesda, MD 20892 (800)4-CANCER Provides information about cancer and cancer-related resources to patients, the public, and health professionals. Inquiries are handled by trained information specialists. Spanish-speaking staff members are available. Distributes free publications of the National Cancer Institute. National Clearinghouse on CHILD ABUSE and Neglect and FAMILY VIOLENCE Information P.O. Box 1182 Washington, DC 20013 (800)FYI-3366 (703)385-7565 (703)385-3206 (Fax) Serves as a major resource center for the acquisition and dissemination of child abuse and neglect materials and distributes a free publications catalog upon request. Provides information services to professionals who work to prevent family violence and assist its victims. Maintains bibliographic databases of documents, audiovisuals, and national organizations. Services include searches of databases and annotated bibliographies on frequently requested topics. National Clearinghouse on Family Support and CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH Portland State University P.O. Box 751 Portland, OR 97202-0751 (800)628-1696 Distributes publications on parent/family support groups, financing, and early intervention services. CONSUMER INFORMATION Center General Services Administration, Room G142 18th and F Streets NW. Washington, DC 20405 (202)501-1794 (202)501-4281 (Fax) Distributes Federal agency publications. Publishes quarterly catalog of available materials. Assists Government agencies in the development of pamphlets. National Institute on DEAFNESS and Other Communication Disorders Information Clearinghouse P.O. Box 37777 Washington, DC 20013 (800)241-1044 (voice) (800)241-1055 (TT) (301)565-4020 (301)565-5112 (Fax) Disseminates information on hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, and language for professionals and the public. National DIABETES INFORMATION Clearinghouse P.O. Box NDIC 9000 Rockville Pike Bethesda, MD 20892 (301)468-2162 (301)770-5164 (Fax) Collects and disseminates information about patient and professional education materials related to diabetes and its complications. Distributes its own publications and other diabetes-related materials. Maintains a registry of meetings pertaining to diabetes and an automated database of patient and professional materials. Library collection is open to the public, although materials do not circulate. National DIGESTIVE DISEASES Information Clearinghouse P.O. Box NDDIC 9000 Rockville Pike Bethesda, MD 20892 (301)468-6344 (301)770-5164 (Fax) Provides a central information resource on digestive health and the prevention and management of digestive diseases. Develops, identifies, and distributes educational materials; encourages production of needed materials; and responds to requests for information. Maintains an automated database of patient education materials. National Information Center for Children and Youth with DISABILITIES P.O. Box 1492 Washington, DC 20013 (800)999-5599 (703)893-6061 (703)893-8614 (TT) (703)893-1741 (Fax) Assists individuals by providing information on how to improve the lives of children and youth with disabilities. Services include responses to questions, referrals, and technical assistance to parents, educators, caregivers, and advocates. Develops and distributes fact sheets on disability and general information on parent support groups and public advocacy. Clearinghouse on DISABILITY INFORMATION Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services Department of Education 330 C Street SW. Switzer Building, Room 3132 Washington, DC 20202-2524 (202)205-8241 (202)205-9252 (Fax) Responds to inquiries on a wide range of topics, especially in the areas of Federal funding, legislation, and programs benefiting people with disabling conditions. Provides referrals. Housing and Urban Development DRUG INFORMATION and Strategy Clearinghouse P.O. Box 6424 Rockville, MD 20850 (800)955-2232 (202)708-1197 Promotes strategies for eradicating drugs and drug trafficking from public housing. Provides housing officials, residents, and community leaders with information and assistance on drug abuse prevention and trafficking control techniques. Maintains an automated database of program descriptions, publications, research, and news articles. ERIC Clearinghouse on Teacher EDUCATION One Dupont Circle NW., Suite 610 Washington, DC 20036 (202) 293-2450 Acquires, evaluates, abstracts, and indexes literature on the preparation and development of education personnel and on selected aspects of health and physical education, recreation, and dance. Performs computer searches of the ERIC database and sponsors workshops on searching the ERIC database. National ELDERCARE Institute on Health Promotion 601 E Street NW. Fifth Floor Washington, DC 20049 (202)434-2200 (202)434-6474 (Fax) Supports State Units on Aging and other organizations in the field of aging and health in developing and implementing health promotion programs for older adults. Maintains a health promotion library, disseminates information on health promotion for minority populations, and provides resource lists and referrals to health-promotion organizations. Library materials may be viewed by appointment only. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Agency Public Information Center PM-211B 401 M Street SW. Washington, DC 20460 (202)260-2080 (202)260-6257 Offers information about the agency, its programs, and activities. Refers inquirers to the appropriate technical program or regional office. Materials on hazardous wastes, asbestos, air and water pollution, pesticides, and drinking water are available. Libraries at EPA headquarters and in each of 10 regional offices are open to the public. FAMILY LIFE Information Exchange P.O. Box 37299 Washington, DC 20013-7299 (301)585-6636 (301)565-5112 (Fax) Provides information related to family planning issues and distributes publications on these subjects. Makes referrals to other information centers in related subject areas. Produces a directory of family planning grantees, delegates, and clinics supported by the Office of Population Affairs. FEDERAL INFORMATION Center Program General Services Administration Seventh and D Streets SW. Washington, DC 20407 (202)708-5804 Provides information about the Federal Government's agencies, programs, and services. Current Government reference materials and service directories are used to respond to inquiries. A complete list of Federal Information Center telephone numbers and addresses is available free from the Consumer Information Center. (See listing in this publication.) FOOD AND DRUG Administration/Office of Consumer Affairs 5600 Fishers Lane, HFE-50 Rockville, MD 20857 (301)443-3170 Responds to consumer requests for information and publications. FOOD AND NUTRITION Information Center Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Library, Room 304 10301 Baltimore Boulevard Beltsville, MD 20705-2351 (301)504-5719 (301)504-5472 (Fax) Provides information on human nutrition, food service management, and food technology. Acquires and lends books and audiovisual materials. Agency for HEALTH CARE POLICY and Research Clearinghouse P.O. Box 8547 Silver Spring, MD 20907-8547 (800)358-9295 (301)495-3453 (301)589-3014 (Fax) Distributes publications produced by the agency, including clinical practice guidelines on a variety of topics, reports from the National Medical Expenditure Survey, and health care technology assessment reports. ODPHP National HEALTH INFORMATION Center P.O. Box 1133 Washington, DC 20013-1133 (800)336-4797 (301)565-4020 (301)565-5112 (Fax) Helps the public and health professionals locate health information through identification of health information resources, an information and referral system, and publications. Uses a database containing descriptions of health-related organizations to refer inquirers to the most appropriate resources. Collection of journals, newsletters, references, and educational materials is available for use by the public; advance arrangements are recommended. Prepares and distributes publications and directories on health promotion and disease prevention topics. National Center for HEALTH STATISTICS 6525 Belcrest Road, Room 1064 Hyattsville, MD 20782 (301)436-8500 Provides professionals with information about the development of health measures. Offers referral services and distributes annotated bibliographies. Access to the library of 4,000 documents and journals is available by appointment. National HEART, LUNG, AND BLOOD Institute Education Programs Information Center P.O. Box 30105 Bethesda, MD 20824-0105 (301)951-3260 (301)951-3269 (Fax) Serves as a source of information and materials on risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Services include dissemination of public education materials, programmatic and scientific information for health professionals, and materials on worksite health, as well as responses to information requests. Materials on cardiovascular health are available to consumers and professionals. National HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY Administration (NHTSA) Department of Transportation 400 Seventh Street SW., NTS-13 Washington, DC 20590 (800)424-9393 (hotline) (202)366-0123 in DC (hotline) Strives to promote highway safety by promoting both safer vehicles and safer driving practices. Sets and enforces Federal safety standards for all new motor vehicles, investigates alleged safety defects and orders recalls where necessary, and conducts extensive research on improving vehicle safety. Handles consumer complaints, requests for information, and publications on traffic and highway safety. The National Resource Center on HOMELESSNESS and Mental Illness 262 Delaware Avenue Delmar, NY 12054 (800)444-7415 Provides technical assistance and information concerning the service and housing needs of homeless mentally ill persons. Maintains database on the homeless mentally ill population, prepares database searches, and disseminates information. HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD) User P.O. Box 6091 Rockville, MD 20850 (800)245-2691 (301)251-5154 Services include personalized literature searches of the HUD user database, document delivery, and special products such as topical bibliographies and announcements of important future research. Provides information on housing safety, housing for elderly and handicapped persons, and lead-based paint. National INDOOR AIR Quality Information Center P.O. Box 37133 Washington, DC 20013 (800)438-4318 (301)585-9020 (301)588-3408 (Fax) Collects information on indoor air quality, including the health effects of passive smoke, formaldehyde, and various chemicals. National INJURY Information Clearinghouse 5401 Westbard Avenue, Room 625 Bethesda, MD 20207 (301)504-0424 (301)504-0124 (Fax) Collects, investigates, analyzes, and disseminates information on the causes and prevention of death, injury, and illness associated with consumer products. Compiles data obtained from accident reports, consumer complaints, death certificates, news clips, and the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System operated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Publications include statistical analyses of data and of hazard and accident patterns. National KIDNEY AND UROLOGIC Diseases Information Clearinghouse P.O. Box NKUDIC 9000 Rockville Pike Bethesda, MD 20892 (301)468-6345 (301)770-5164 (Fax) Provides education and information on kidney and urologic diseases to professionals and the public. Makes referrals to other appropriate organizations. Maintains the kidney and urologic diseases subfile of the Combined Health Information Database. Provides publications and audiovisual materials on diabetes and kidney disease. National Center for Education in MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH 200 North 15th Street, Suite 701 Arlington, VA 22201-7802 (703)524-7802 (703)524-9335 (Fax) Responds to information requests from consumers and professionals, provides technical assistance, and develops educational and reference materials. The Resource Center contains professional literature, patient education materials, curricula, audiovisuals, and information about organizations and programs. Major content areas include pregnancy and childbirth, child and adolescent health, nutrition, high-risk infants, chronic illness and disability, human genetics, women's health, and maternal and child health services and programs. National MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH Clearinghouse 8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 600 McLean, VA 22102 (703)821-8955, ext. 254 or 265 (703)821-2098 (Fax) Centralized source of materials and information in the areas of human genetics and maternal and child health. Distributes publications and provides referrals. National Institute of MENTAL HEALTH 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 15C05 Rockville, MD 20857 (301)443-4513 Collects scientific, technical, and other information on mental illness and health; classifies, stores, and retrieves information; and answers public inquiries. Distributes single copies of the institute's publications at no charge. Publications list is available. Office of MINORITY HEALTH Resource Center P.O. Box 37337 Washington, DC 20013-7337 (800)444-6472 (301)565-5112 (Fax) Responds to information requests from health professionals on minority health issues and locates sources of technical assistance. Has developed a Resource Persons Network, and provides referrals to relevant organizations. Bilingual staff members are available to serve Spanish-speaking requestors. Office of NAVIGATION SAFETY and Waterway Services U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Auxiliary Boating and Consumer Affairs Division (G-NAB) 2100 Second Street SW. Washington, DC 20593-0001 (800)368-5647 (Boating Safety Hotline) (202)267-0780 (in metropolitan Washington, DC) Provides safety information to recreational boaters; assists the public in finding boating education classes; answers technical questions; distributes literature on boating safety, Federal laws, and the prevention of recreational boating casualties. Human NUTRITION INFORMATION Service U.S. Department of Agriculture 6505 Belcrest Road Hyattsville, MD 20782 (301)436-7725 (301)436-5078 (electronic bulletin board) Monitors the content of diets of the American population, assesses dietary status and trends in food consumption, maintains the National Nutrient Data Bank, provides dietary guidance, and develops materials and techniques to increase nutrition knowledge and improve food selection and management. Coordinates the review and publication of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and develops information to help Americans put the guidelines into practice. Publications list is available. Clearinghouse for OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH INFORMATION 4676 Columbia Parkway Cincinnati, OH 45226 (800)35-NIOSH (513)533-8326 (513)533-8315 (Fax) Provides technical information support for National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH) research programs and disseminates information to others on request. Services include reference and referral, interlibrary loans, and information about NIOSH studies. Distributes a subject-indexed catalog of NIOSH materials with information about availability. Publications list issued periodically. Maintains automated database covering the field of occupational safety and health and a library open to the public. National Information Center for ORPHAN DRUGS and Rare Diseases P.O. Box 1133 Washington, DC 20013-1133 (800)456-3505 (301)565-4020 (301)565-5112 (Fax) Gathers and disseminates information and responds to inquiries from patients, health professionals, and the general public on orphan drugs and rare diseases or products used to prevent or treat rare diseases (those with a prevalence in the United States of 200,000 cases or fewer). Responds to questions by using a computerized database (containing descriptions of many health- related organizations), library, and referral system. Also gathers information to enhance the database and library collection, refers inquiries to voluntary organizations and others, and gathers research data. President's Council on PHYSICAL FITNESS and Sports 701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Suite 250 Washington, DC 20004 (202)272-3430 (202)504-2064 (Fax) Conducts a public service advertising program, prepares educational materials, and works to promote the development of physical fitness leadership, facilities, and programs. Helps schools, clubs, recreation agencies, employers, and Federal agencies design and implement programs and offers a variety of testing, recognition, and incentive programs for individuals, institutions, and organizations. Materials on exercise and physical fitness for all ages are available. POLICY Information Center U.S. Department of Health and Human Services HHS Building, Room 438-F 200 Independence Avenue SW. Washington, DC 20201 (202)245-6445 A centralized repository of evaluations, short-term research, and policy-oriented projects conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services and other Federal agencies. Maintains a library of final reports and executive summaries. Copies of final reports are available to the general public through the National Technical Information Service. National Clearinghouse for PRIMARY CARE Information 8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 600 McLean, VA 22102 (703)821-8955, ext. 245 (703)821-2098 (Fax) Provides information services to support the planning, development, and delivery of ambulatory health care to urban and rural areas that have shortages of medical personnel and services. A primary role of the clearinghouse is to identify, obtain, and disseminate information to community and migrant health centers. Distributes publications focusing on ambulatory care, financial management, primary health care, and health services administration of special interest to professionals working in primary care centers funded by the Bureau of Health Care Delivery and Assistance. Materials are available on childhood injury prevention programs, health education, governing boards, financial management, sexually transmitted diseases, lead poisoning, administrative management, and clinical care. Bilingual medical phrase books, a directory of federally funded health centers, and an annotated bibliography are also available. Consumer PRODUCT SAFETY Commission Hotline 5401 Westbard Avenue, Room 332 Bethesda, MD 20207 (800)638-2772 (800)638-8270 (TT) (800)492-8104 (TT, MD only) (301)504-0580 (301)504-0046 (Fax) Maintains the National Injury Information Clearinghouse, conducts investigations of alleged unsafe/defective products, and establishes product safety standards. Assists consumers in evaluating the comparative safety of products and conducts education programs to increase consumer awareness. Operates the National Electronic Surveillance System, which monitors a statistical sample of hospital emergency rooms for injuries associated with consumer products. Maintains free hotline to provide information about recalls and to receive reports on product-related accidents. Publications describe hazards associated with electrical products and children's toys. National REHABILITATION Information Clearinghouse 8455 Colesville Road, Suite 935 Silver Spring, MD 20910 (800)346-2742 (301)588-9284 (301)587-1967 (Fax) Supplies publications on disability-related topics, prepares bibliographies tailored to specific requests, and assists in locating answers to questions. Open to the public, the center has a collection of materials on rehabilitation and documents on professional and administrative practices and concerns. The center also publishes a directory of librarians specializing in rehabilitation and a free quarterly newsletter. RURAL INFORMATION Center National Agricultural Library, Room 304 10301 Baltimore Boulevard Beltsville, MD 20705 (800)633-7701 (301)504-5547 (301)504-5181 (Fax) Provides information and referrals to the public and to professionals. Focuses on the delivery of health services in rural areas. Office on SMOKING AND HEALTH Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Centers for Disease Control, MS K-50 1600 Clifton Road NE. Atlanta, GA 30333 (404)488-5701 (404)488-5767 (Fax) Offers bibliographic and reference services to researchers through its Technical Information Center. Publishes and distributes materials and comprehensive bibliographies on topics of interest in smoking and health. Epidemiology Branch collects and analyzes data on tobacco use; designs and conducts national surveys on smoking behavior, attitudes, knowledge, and beliefs; and works with other individuals and organizations to incorporate smoking behavior in their survey research activities. Visitors may use the collection by appointment. Consumer and professional publications on tobacco-related topics are available. National SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME Resource Center 8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 600 McLean, VA 22102 (703)821-8955 (703)821-2098 (Fax) Provides information and educational materials on sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), apnea, and other related issues. Responds to information requests from professionals and from the public. Maintains a library of standard reference materials on topics related to SIDS. Maintains and updates mailing lists of State programs, groups, and individuals concerned with SIDS. Also develops fact sheets, catalogs, and bibliographies on areas of special interest to the community. TOXIC SUBSTANCES Control Act Assistance Information Service 401 M Street SW. Washington, DC 20024 (202)554-0515 (202)554-5603 (Fax) Provides information and referrals to Government officials, the public, and the press. National WORKSITE HEALTH PROMOTION Resource Center 777 North Capitol Street NE., Suite 800 Washington, DC 20002 (202)408-9320 Provides information about current worksite health promotion programs in American corporations, including bibliographies of low-cost and free worksite health promotion materials and lists of vendors offering health promotion services. Maintains database of programs and distributes publications on worksite health promotion. The YOUTH DEVELOPMENT Information Center National Agricultural Library U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 304 10301 Baltimore Boulevard Beltsville, MD 20705 (301)504-5719 Provides information services to professionals who plan, develop, implement, and evaluate programs designed to meet the changing needs of America's youth. Acquires print and audiovisual resources and develops resource lists and bibliographies. Lends books and audiovisuals through local or institutional libraries, provides photocopies of journal articles, and helps to locate books, journals, and audiovisuals. -- End of File --