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Health Resource Services You Can Use

If you need information regarding a physical or mental health problem, help is just a phone call away. The following toll-free hotlines offer information, referrals and counseling.

AGING

The Eldercare Locator can make referrals to groups familiar with home care, transportation and nutrition programs for the elderly in your area. Call 800-677-1116.

The National Council on Aging furnishes information and referrals regarding problems associated with aging. Call 800-424-9046.

The National Institute on Aging offers fact sheets concerning the needs of older Americans. These topics, among others, are covered: health care, women's health, aging, menopause, exercise programs and social security. Call 800-222-2225 or visit www.nih.gov/nia.

AIDS

The National STD & AIDS Hotline offers information on Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases. Call 800-342-2437 or visit www.cdc.gov/hiv.

ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE

The National Treatment Referral Hotline offers information regarding substance abuse and makes referrals to national organizations that provide access to support and self-help groups and treatment facilities. Call 800-ALCOHOL.

The Alcohol and Drug Helpline offers referrals to alcohol- and drug-abuse clinics. Call 800-821-4357.

The Hazelden Foundation is one of the foremost addiction treatment centers in the United States. The foundation offers referrals to recovery services and a free booklet on how to confront a friend about addiction. Call 800-I-DO-CARE or visit www.hazelden.org.

The National Drug and Treatment Referral Hotline refers members to drug rehabilitation centers. Call 800-662-HELP or visit www.drughelp.org.

ARTHRITIS

The Arthritis Foundation Information Line provides publications and information about arthritis and referrals to local organizations. Call 800-283-7800.

ASTHMA AND ALLERGIES

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology offers information and referrals for physicians in your area. Call 800-822-2762 or visit www.AAAAI.org.

The Texas Back Institute provides information and materials on back care as well as referrals to spine specialists in your area. Call 800-247-BACK or visit www.texasback.com.

CANCER PREVENTION

The American Cancer Society furnishes information on cancer prevention and treatment. Call 800-ACS-2345.

The Komen Alliance offers information regarding breast-cancer risk evaluation and prevention. Call 800-IM-AWARE.

CHILD HEALTH

Child Care Aware refers callers to experts who can recommend good-quality child-care providers. Call 800-424-2246 or visit www.childcareaware.org.

ChildHelp USA offers help, counseling and referrals if you suspect your child is a victim of any kind of abuse. Call 800-4-A-CHILD.

The pMcGruff Safe Kids Identification KitS can help you take a bite out of crime. The kit includes a fingerprint and identification section, safety tips and a tear-off card on which youngsters can write family and emergency phone numbers. To order the kit, call 800-288-3344.

CRIME

The National Victim Center offers bulletins and information packets on more than 60 subjects including coping advice for crime victims and their families, prevention programs and legislative issues. Referrals to local support services are also available. Call 800-394-2255 or visit www.ncvc.org.

DIABETES

The American Diabetes Association provides literature and a free newsletter about the disease. It also makes referrals to local affiliates, who can recommend support groups. Call 800-232-3472 or visit www.diabetes.org.

DOCTOR CERTIFICATION

The Doctor Certification Hotline can tell you if a particular doctor has been certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties, the year of certification and the specialty. Call 866-ASK-ABMS.

ENVIRONMENT

The Environmental Protection Agency offers several help-lines to answer questions regarding water quality, lead levels in tap water and other environmental concerns. For water questions, call 800-426-4791; for pesticides and toxic substances, call 800-858-7378 or visit www.epa.pro/safewater.

GENERAL HEALTH

The American Lung Association offers information on the health benefits of quitting smoking, referrals to smoking cessation programs and answers to other smoking-related questions. Call 800-LUNG-USA or visit www.lungusa.org.

The Ask-A-Nurse hotline offers free medical advice. The nurses don't make diagnoses; instead, they may answer a question you forgot to ask your doctor during your last visit or recommend a support group. Call 800-535-1111 for a toll-free number in your area.

The National Institute of Mental Health offers information on depression. Free brochures explain the symptoms and provide treatment information. Call 800-421-4211 or visit www.nimh.nih.gov.

The National Headache Foundation offers physician referrals and information regarding headache treatment and prevention. Call 800-843-2256 or visit www.headaches.org.

HEARING & SIGHT

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association provides information on speech and hearing impairments as well as physician referrals. Call 800-638-8255.

The Better Hearing Institute will send free brochures explaining how to prevent and treat hearing loss in youngsters and adults. Also available are lists of hearing specialists by zip code. Call 800-EAR-WELL.

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders can answer questions regarding deafness and disorders relating to hearing, smelling, tasting, speaking and using language skills. Free brochures also are available. Call 800-241-1044.

The American Society to Prevent Blindness supplies information on eye safety and disease prevention as well as referrals for treatment. Call 800-221-3004.

HEART HEALTH

The American Heart Association offers information on preventing and treating heart attacks and other conditions, controlling high blood pressure and high cholesterol and quitting smoking. Call 800-242-8721 or visit www.americanheart.org.

INCONTINENCE

The Simon Foundation for incontinence offers information on how incontinence can be treated. Call 800-23-SIMON or visit www.simonfoundation.org.

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

Counselors at the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America answer questions regarding the disease and make referrals to support groups and clinics. Call 800-833-4672.

PET CARE

The American Animal Hospital Association offers recommendations on where to take a sick pet. Its 2,500-member clinics and hospitals must adhere to rigorous standards. Call 800-252-2242 or visit www.aahanet.org.

PHYSICAL FITNESS

The Aerobics and Fitness Foundation of America answers questions regarding exercise, health and fitness safety. Call 800-233-4886 or visit www.afaa.com.

The American Running and Fitness Association provides information about treating common injuries associated with running, walking and other aerobic sports. The association also makes referrals to podiatrists and orthopedists. Call 800-776-2732 or visit www.arfa.com.

STROKE

The National Stroke Association offers free educational materials and information regarding stroke prevention, treatment research, rehabilitation and survivor/caregiver resources. Call 800-STROKES or visit www.stroke.org.

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