Sources for Free Consumer Health Materials
By Cara Marcus, MSLIS
Director of Library Services
Faulkner Hospital
1153 Centre Street
Boston, MA 02130
April 12, 2010
This resource list provides links to reputable agencies and organizations that provide and will mail free quality consumer health materials to your library. The list links directly to the order pages for each source. Some of the organizations place a volume limit per order, such as ten brochures. In addition to the resources listed, there are many other organizations that post their consumer health materials online for unlimited access in Adobe PDF or other formats.
While this list is reviewed regularly, the availability status of the free resources listed may change due to a number of circumstances.
Brochures
ALS Association
Alzheimer’s Disease Education & Referral Center
American Association of Kidney Patients
American Cancer Society
American College of Physicians HEALTHTiPS Pads
American Congress of Obstetricians & Gynecologists
American Liver Foundation
American Lyme Disease Foundation
American Society of Anesthesiologists
Arthritis Foundation
Bone Marrow Foundation
Breast Cancer Network of Strength
Canadian Cancer Society
Cancer Care
Centers for Disease Control and Preventions
Endometriosis Association
Health Resources and Services Administration
Immune Deficiency Foundation
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
National Brain Tumor Society
National Cancer Institute
National Children’s Cancer Society
National Diabetes Education Program
National Fibromyalgia Partnership, Inc.
National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
National Institute of Mental Health
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institute on Aging
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
National Institute on Drug Abuse
National Women’s Health Information Center
Office Canadien de Commercialisation des Oeufs
Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation
Parkinson’s Disease Foundation
Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation
Santé et Services Sociaux Québec
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
US Too International Prostate Cancer Brochures
Vascular Disease Foundation
Weight Control Information Network
Magazines and Newsletters
American Institute for Cancer Research
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
Breast Cancer Network of Strength
Childhood Brain Tumor Foundation
MAMM: Women, Cancer and Community
Hepatitis B Foundation
Hemaware: The Bleeding Disorders Magazine
MedlinePlus: The Magazine
National Children’s Cancer Society
NIH News in Health
Parkinson’s Disease Foundation
Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation
United Ostomy Association of America
CD-ROM and DVD
ALS Association
National Cancer Institute
Office on Women’s Health
Parkinson’s Disease Foundation
Books
It is rare that consumer health books are distributed freely to libraries. Occasionally, consumer health books will be given out or raffled off at professional association meetings or health fairs. Librarians who review books for journals or professional associations are usually able to keep the books for their collections. Many neighborhood venues (gyms, coffee shops, etc.) have “freebies” or book-swap shelves or carts where you may sometimes find gently used consumer health books. Local bookstores may be able to donate review copies of books sent to them by publishers, as they are not able to be sold.
Other Strategies
With rising costs and diminishing budgets, obtaining free patient and family education material is becoming both more difficult and more sought-after. Librarians in consortia and networks can work together to swap materials. Email lists work particularly well for posting resources you do not need but may be wanted by another library. Partner with libraries in your community, such as public, school or hospital libraries, who may be able to loan materials for your center to display and have available on a rotating basis.
The National Health Information Center publishes the Calendar of National Health Observances. Some of the agencies and organizations listed in the calendar will send free materials to libraries planning special events to celebrate the national health observances.
Utilize the wealth of excellent materials available online at no cost through many agencies and organizations, such as the MedlinePlus.gov consumer health database, which provides free consumer health articles, videos and animated tutorials. You can also work with medical subject experts within your organization to write your own educational handouts.
Sources
The Complete Directory for People with Chronic Illness. Amenia: Grey House Publishing, 2010.
Thank you to Faulkner Hospital Assistant Librarian Ellen Fusfeld for research assistance for this article.