aring for both our physical and mental health is a necessary factor in working it through. Locating the answers to questions regarding medical issues is not always easy. In fact, sometimes the most difficult part of the process is knowing where to begin. I have included a list of medical associations which should be useful in helping you to begin your search for answers to any thoughts or concerns you may have. Working It Through.

Asthma/Allergy
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
(800) 822-2762 or (414) 272-6071

• Internet: http://www.aaaai.org
• Referrals: (800) 822-2762
• Brochures: For information on asthma and allergies or to request an order form listing brochures, call either telephone number above.
• Other: Call (800) 9-POLLEN for pollen count reports or a pollen calendar.

American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology
(847) 427-1200 or (800) 842-7777

• Internet: http://allergy.mcg.edu
• Referrals and brochures: Call the toll-free number.

Cardiology
American College of Cardiology
9111 Old Georgetown Road
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 897-5400 or (800) 253-4636

• Internet: http://www.acc.org
• Brochures: To request brochures, please call (800) 253-4636 or write to the address listed above. Envelope should be marked, "Attention, Educational Services."

Dermatology
American Academy of Dermatology
P.O. Box 681069
Schaumburg, IL 60168-1069

• Internet: http://www.aad.org
• Referrals: (847) 330-0230 ext. 505
• Brochures: Please make requests in writing and specify your topic of interest (acne, moles, hair loss, herpes, etc.)

Emergency Medicine
American College of Emergency Physicians
1111 19th St. N.W. Suite 650
Washington, D.C. 20036-3603
(202) 728-0610, (972)-550-0911 or (800) 320-0610

• Internet: http://www.acep.org
• Brochures: You may call or write for consumer information, including tips on how to handle emergency situations and administer proper care in crisis situations.

Eyes
American Academy of Ophthalmology
655 Beach St.
San Francisco, CA 94120-7424

• Internet: http://www.eyenet.org
• Referrals: The academy administers two public service referral programs (members of HMOs or prepaid health plans are not eligible):
  • National Eye Care Project Helpline. (800) 222-EYES provides medical eye care for financially disadvantaged seniors.
  • Glaucoma 2001 Information and Referral Line (800) 391-EYES
• Brochures: For information on cataracts, strabismus, glaucoma, macular degeneration or eye fact sheets, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the address listed above. You will need to site the topic you for which you are requesting information.

Family Health
American Academy of Family Physicians

• Internet: http://www.aafp.org
• Brochures: For a free copy of "Healthy Living," send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the academy c/o LAT-Healthy Living, P.O. Box 19326, Lenexa, KS 66285-9326. For a copy of "Stress," write to the same address c/o LAT-Stress.

General
American Medical Association

• Internet: http://www.ama-assn.org The AMA web site provides information on the association, background and training of physicians and other information.

Geriatrics
American Geriatrics Society
770 Lexington Avenue, Suite 300
New York, NY 10021
(212) 308-1414

• Internet: http://www.americangeriatrics.org
• Brochures and referrals: Information for your geographic location can be provided. To request this information, please call the number listed above.

Orthopedics
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
(847) 823-7186

• Internet: http://www.aaos.org
• Brochures: To receive brochures via fax contact AAOS Fax-on-Demand at (800) 999-2939. To request information on publications, call the public service line at (800) 824-BONES. Finally, brochures on other topics are available, including information on proper shoes, hand problems, neck pain, arthroscopic knee surgery, scoliosis, knee joint replacement, and cast maintenance. To obtain information on these and other topics, write to AAOS, P.O. Box 2058, Des Plaines, IL 60017. You will need to enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope. For two brochures, please enclose 32 cents in postage and for three brochures, you will need to include 55 cents in postage.

Pediatrics
American Academy of Pediatrics
P.O. Box 927
Elk Grove Village, IL 60009-0927

• Internet: http://www.aap.org
• Referrals: May be requested by writing to the above address.
• Brochures: Information on chickenpox, HIV/AIDS, baby bottle tooth decay, car seats and drugs may be obtained by writing to the address listed above. You will need to enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope marked "Dept. C." The topic in which you are interested will also need to be listed on the envelope.

Psychiatry
American Psychiatric Association
Division of Public Affairs
1400 K Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 682-6220

• Internet: http://www.psych.org
• Brochures: Please contact the APA at the address or phone number listed above. The topic in which you are interested must be specified. An overview is provided on topics such as, depression, mental health of the elderly, teen suicide, substance abuse, Alzheimer's disease, manic-depressive/bipolar disorder, panic disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders, coping with HIV/AIDS, selecting a psychiatrist, medications and methods of coping. Single copies are free.

Radiology
American College of Radiology
1891 Preston White Drive
Reston, VA 20191
(703) 648-8900

• Internet: http://www.acr.org
• Brochures: Requests should be made in writing and marked to the attention of the Public Relations Department.

Reproductive Health
American Society of Reproductive Medicine
1209 Montgomery Highway
Birmingham, AL
35216-2809

• Internet: http://www.asrm.com
• Referrals: Please write or call for information.
• Brochures: Again, please write or call.
• Other: Information can be obtained on clinics performing specific services such as gender selection. To receive details, you will need to either write or call.

Surgery
American College of Surgeons
55 E. Erie Street
Chicago, IL 60611-2797
(312) 664-4050

• Internet: http://www.facs.org
• Referrals: You may call or write to obtain referrals.
• Brochures: Brochure information is located on the web site or can be obtained by calling or writing. Topics include getting a second opinion; information on specific operations; average costs of operations, and how to select a qualified surgeon.

American Society for Laser Surgery
2404 Stewart Square
Wausau, WI 54401
(715) 845-9283

• Referrals: Please make requests in writing.

  ©1997 Kathy Ireland Inc., The Sterling/Winters Company, Inc., beFree! Inc. All rights reserved.