Resources for a Healthy Heart

• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
  Information Center
  NHLBI Information Center
  P.O. Box 30105
  Bethesda, MD 20824-0105
  (301) 251-1222

The NHLBI Information Center is a service of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). It provides public and patient education materials on high blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking, obesity, and heart disease. Publications include: Facts About High Blood Pressure; Eating to Lower Your High Blood Cholesterol; Check Your Weight and Heart Disease I.Q.; and Check Your Smoking I.Q.: An Important Quiz for Older Smokers. The NHLBI also offers a number of fact sheets on heart disease-related topics such as Facts About Coronary Heart Disease.

A directory of publications is available.

• Consumer Information Center (CIC)
  Pueblo, CO 81009

The Consumer Information Catalog from the CIC lists over 200 free or low-cost booklets on consumer topics. Many are health-related and include booklets on nutrition, foods, exercise, women's health, and smoking. Write for a free copy.

• Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
  Office of Consumer Affairs, HFE-88
  5600 Fishers Lane
  Rockville, MD 20857
  (301) 443-3170

The FDA offers publications on topics such as general drug information, medical devices, and food-related subjects including fiber, fats, sodium, and cholesterol. The FDA also publishes a monthly journal, FDA Consumer, which reports on recent developments in the regulation of foods, drugs, and cosmetics. Recent articles have covered topics such as heart bypass surgery, balloon angioplasty, dieting, and nutrition for women. Subscriptions can be ordered through the Consumer Information Catalog listed above. To order materials, contact the FDA at the address above or contact the consumer affairs office nearest you. Copies are available free of charge.

• Food and Nutrition Information Center (FNIC)
  National Agricultural Library
  10301 Baltimore Avenue, Room 304
  Beltsville, MD 20705-2351

The FNIC answers questions concerning food and nutrition and provides database searches, bibliographies, and resource guides on a wide variety of food and nutrition topics.

• Human Nutrition Information Service (HNIS)
  Department of Agriculture
  6505 Belcrest Road
  Room 328 A
  Hyattsville, MD 20782
  (301) 436-8617

HNIS reports results of research on food consumption, food composition, and dietary guidance in both technical and popular publications. A list of Department of Agriculture publications is available.

• National Cancer Institute (NCI)
  Office of Cancer Communications
  Bldg. 31, Room 10A24
  9000 Rockville Pike
  Bethesda, MD 20892
  (800) 4-CANCER; (301) 496-5583

The NCI provides information on how to stop smoking. Publications include: Why Do You Smoke? (a self-test); Clearing the Air: A Guide to Quitting Smoking; and Guia Para Dejar de Fumar. Publications are available free of charge.

• National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Information (NCADI)
  P.O. Box 2345
  Rockville, MD 20852
  (800) 729-6686; (301) 468-2600

NCADI is the central point within the Federal Government for current print and audiovisual information about alcohol and other drugs. Publications for women include: Alcohol Alert #10; Alcohol and Women; Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs May Harm the Unborn; and Women and Alcohol. A publications catalog is available.

• National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC)
  Box NDIC
  9000 Rockville Pike
  Bethesda, MD 20892
  (301) 468-2162

The NDIC provides information to diabetic patients and provides materials on topics such as diabetes management and treatment, nutrition, dental care, insulin, and self-blood glucose monitoring. Topical bibliographies are produced on subjects such as diet and nutrition, sports and exercise, and pregnancy. A bimonthly newsletter, Diabetes Dateline, is also available. Some mailing fees may apply.

• Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
  National Health Information Center (ONHIC)
  P.O. Box 1133
  Washington, DC 20013-1133
  (800) 336-4797; (301) 565-4167

The ONHIC helps the public and health professionals locate health information through identification of health information resources, an information and referral system, and publications. The ONHIC provides resource guides on a variety of health-related topics. A publications list is available.

• Office on Smoking and Health (OSH)
  Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
  Mail Stop K-50
  Centers for Disease Control
  1600 Clifton Road, N.E.
  Atlanta, GA 30333
  (404) 488-5705

The Office on Smoking and Health provides information on smoking cessation. Current titles include: Out of the Ashes: Choosing a Method to Quit Smoking; At A Glance--The Health Benefits of Smoking Cessation: A Report of the Surgeon General; Is Your Baby Smoking?; and a poster, Pregnant? That's Two Good Reasons to Quit. Single copies are available free of charge.

• Superintendent of Documents
  U.S. Government Printing Office
  Washington, DC 20402=9352
  (202) 783-3238Z

The Superintendent of Documents makes available many health-related publications from Government agencies. There are charges for publications. Write for a free copy of U.S. Government Books and New Books to receive information on what is available.

• American Cancer Society (ACS)
  1599 Clifton Road, N.E.
  Atlanta, GA 30329
  (404) 320-3333; (800) ACS-2345

Contact the local chapters or the national office for information. The ACS provides materials, individual and group support, self-help groups, and a speakers bureau. Publications include: How Can We Reach You?, which describes risks specific to women who smoke and tips for quitting without weight gain; Why Start Life Under a Cloud; Eating Smart; and Nutrition, Common Sense, and Cancer. The Taking Control program provides an introduction to a healthful, enjoyable lifestyle that may reduce one's risk of developing cancer. All publications and services are free.

• American Diabetes Association
  1660 Duke Street
  Alexandria, VA 22314
  (800) 232-3472; (703) 549-1500

Contact the local chapters or the national office. The group offers patient and family education activities such as educational meetings, weekend retreats, counseling and discussion, self-help, and support groups. Patient education publications include: Diabetes in the Family; Diabetes: A to Z; and the Family Cookbook series. Diabetes Forecast, a monthly magazine, and Diabetes, a quarterly newsletter, are available. There are membership fees and costs for some publications.

• American Heart Association (AHA)
  National Center
  7320 Greenville Avenue
  Dallas, TX 75231
  (214) 373-6300

The AHA provides fact sheets, brochures, and audiovisuals on topics such as general cardiovascular disease risk reduction, exercise, high blood pressure, smoking, and nutrition. Publications include: What Every Woman Should Know About High Blood Pressure; About Your Heart and Blood Pressure; American Heart Association Diet: An Eating Plan for Healthy Americans; Now You're Cookin': Healthful Recipes to Help Control High Blood Pressure; Eat Well, But Eat Wisely--To Reduce Your Risk of Heart Attack; Exercise and Your Heart; and more. Write to the national office or the local AHA affiliate nearest to you. Single copies of most publications are free.

• American Lung Association (ALA)
  1740 Broadway
  New York, NY 10019
  (212) 315-8700

The ALA and its local affiliates conduct smoking cessation programs and offer a catalog of publications, including many on smoking. The Stop Smoking, Stay Trim booklet explains how stopping smoking affects weight and what you can do to prevent weight gain. Freedom From Smoking in 20 Days is a self-help quit smoking program. Other publications include: Q and A of Smoking and Health; Because You Love Your Baby; and Facts About Nicotine, Addiction, and Cigarettes. Contact your local ALA affiliate or write to the above address. Some fees may apply.

• American Dietetic Association (ADA)
  216 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 800
  Chicago, IL 60606
  (312) 899-0040

The ADA offers cookbooks and other materials for consumers designed to educate about food and nutrition. These include: Lowfat Living: A Guide to Enjoying a Healthful Diet; Food Facts: What You Should Know About Nutrition and Health; and Food 3: Eating the Moderate Fat and Cholesterol Way. Write or call for price information.

The National Center for Nutrition and Dietetics is the public education initiative of the ADA. It sponsors a consumer nutrition hotline that can be reached at (800) 366-1655 (9:00-4:00, central time). Callers can listen to recorded messages on current issues in nutrition or speak to a registered dietitian.