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Need some details about the allergy that’s got you sneezing? Your upcoming knee surgery? That cosmetic surgery that would make your life complete?

Turn to a medical association.

While these organizations for physicians focus on promoting the specialty of their members and helping them to meet their continuing medical education requirements, many also have a strong public education mission. To that end, they provide a wealth of health information, free or low cost, to the public.

Here, a sampling of what’s available by calling (often a toll-free number) or browsing the Internet. (If a phone number is not listed, that is because requests in writing are preferred.)

Allergies

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology

* Founded: 1943

* Membership: 5,000

* Telephone: (414) 272-6071 or (800) 822-2762

* Internet: https://www.aaaai.org

* Referrals: (800) 822-2762

* Brochures: For information on asthma and allergies or 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

* Founded: 1942

* Membership: 4,000

* Telephone: (847) 427-1200 or (800) 842-7777

* Internet: https://allergy.mcg.edu

* Referrals and brochures: Call the toll-free number.

Anesthesiology

American Society of Anesthesiologists

520 N. Northwest Highway

Park Ridge, IL 60068

* Founded: 1905

* Membership: 34,000

* Telephone: (847) 825-5586

* Internet: https://www.asahq.org

* Brochures: Available on the Web site and by writing to the society. Among the topics: anesthesia for ambulatory surgery, planning for childbirth, anesthesia and senior citizens.

Cardiology

American College of Cardiology

9111 Old Georgetown Road

Bethesda, MD 20814

* Founded: 1949

* Membership: 23,000

* Telephone: (301) 897-5400 or (800) 253-4636

* Internet: https://www.acc.org

* Brochures: Put request in writing and mark envelope “Attention, Educational Services.” Or call (800) 253-4636, Ext. 694.

Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery

American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons

* Founded: 1931

* Membership: 5,000

* Telephone: (847) 228-9900 or (800) 635-0635

* Internet: https://www.plasticsurgery.org

* Referrals: (800) 635-0635

* Other: Check out the Web page and download 35 brochures on plastic surgery topics.

American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery

* Founded: 1985

* Membership: 1,100

* Telephone: (312) 527-6713 or (800) A NEW YOU

* Internet: https://www.cosmeticsurgeryonline.com

* For referrals and brochures, call the toll-free number above.

American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

* Founded: 1967

* Membership: 1,300

* Telephone: (562) 799-2356 or (888) 272-7711

* Internet: https://www.surgery.org

* Referrals: Call the toll-free number above.

* Other: Call the toll-free number for information on aesthetic procedures, verification of member credentials and board certification.

Dermatology

American Academy of Dermatology

P.O. Box 681069

Schaumburg, IL 60168-1069

* Founded: 1938

* Membership: 10,000

* Internet: https://www.aad.org

* Referrals: (847) 330-0230, Ext. 505.

* Brochures: Put request 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, DC 20036-3603

* Founded: 1968

* Membership: 19,100

* Telephone: (202) 728-0610, (972) 550-0911 or (800) 320-0610

* Internet: https://www.acep.com

* Brochures: Call or write for consumer information, including what you should know about emergency care and how to handle emergencies.

Eyes

American Academy of Ophthalmology

655 Beach St.

San Francisco, CA 94120-7424

* Founded: 1896

* Membership: 22,000

* Internet: https://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, noting the topic you are requesting.

Family Health

American Academy of Family Physicians

* Founded: 1947

* Membership: 84,000

* Internet: https://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 the brochure “Stress,” write to the same address, marking the envelope c / o LAT-Stress.

Gastroenterology

American College of Gastroenterology

* Founded: 1932

* Membership: 6,600

* Internet: https://www.acg.gi.org

* Referrals: (800) 978-7666

* Brochures: Call the Heartburn Hotline, (800) HRT-BURN, and access a series of educational pamphlets on heartburn.

* Other: Call (800) 978-7666 for general information on GI conditions and digestive health.

General

American Medical Assn.

* Founded: 1847

* Membership: 297,000

* Internet: https://www.ama-assn.org. Contains information on the association, background and training of physicians and other information. (No physician referrals provided.)

Gay and Lesbian Medical Assn.

* Founded: 1981

* Membership: 1,800

* Telephone: (415) 255-4547

* Internet: https://www.glma.org

* Referrals: Call.

* Publications: Topics include homophobia as a health hazard; results of a national survey of lesbian, gay and bisexual physicians; legal rights and obligations of HIV-infected health care workers. Prices: $7 to $15.

Geriatrics

American Geriatrics Society

* Founded: 1942

* Membership: 6,000

770 Lexington Ave., Suite 300

New York, NY 10021

(212) 308-1414

* Internet: https://www.americangeriatrics.org

* Brochures and referrals by geographic area: Call the above number.

Orthopedics

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

* Founded: 1933

* Membership: 17,560

* Telephone: (847) 823-7186

* Internet: https://www.aaos.org

* Brochures:

* AAOS Fax-on-Demand, (800) 999-2939.

* The public service line for information on publications is (800) 824-BONES.

* To request other brochures (shoes, common hand problems, arthroscopy, neck pain, scoliosis, foot problems, cast care, total joint replacement, others) write to AAOS, P.O. Box 2058, Des Plaines, IL 60017. Send a self-addressed stamped envelope with 32 cents postage for two brochures or 55 cents for three.

Otolaryngology

American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

* Founded: 1896

* Membership: 10,225

* Telephone: (703) 836-4444

* Internet: https://www.entnet.org

* Referrals: (703) 836-4444

* Brochures: Call (703) 299-1121 to request a list.

Pediatrics

American Academy of Pediatrics

P.O. Box 927

Elk Grove Village, IL 60009-0927

* Founded: 1930

* Membership: 53,000

* Internet: https://www.aap.org

* Referrals: Request in writing.

* Brochures: Request in writing. Topics include chickenpox, children and drugs, car seats, HIV / AIDS facts, baby bottle tooth decay, allergies. Include a self-addressed, stamped, business-size envelope, note the brochure topic on the envelope and mark it Dept. C.

Psychiatry

American Psychiatric Assn.

Division of Public Affairs

1400 K Street N.W.

Washington, DC 20005

* Founded: 1844

* Membership: 42,000

* Telephone: (202) 682-6220

* Internet: https://www.psych.org

* Referrals: Call above number.

* Brochures: Call or write, specifying topic (overview of mental illnesses, depression, teen suicide, substance abuse, choosing a psychiatrist, Alzheimer’s disease, manic-depressive / bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, psychiatric medications, coping with HIV / AIDS, mental health of the elderly, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, phobias, panic disorder, childhood disorders). Single copies are free.

Radiology

American College of Radiology

1891 Preston White Drive

Reston, VA 20191

* Founded: 1923

* Membership: 31,000

* Telephone: (703) 648-8900

* Internet: https://www.acr.org

* Brochures: Put request in writing and mark envelope to the attention of the Public Relations Department.

Reproductive Health

American Society for Reproductive Medicine

1209 Montgomery Highway

Birmingham, AL 35216-2809

* Founded 1944

* Membership: 10,000

* Telephone: (205) 978-5000

* Internet: https://www.asrm.com

* Referrals: Write or call.

* Brochures: Write or call.

* Other: Write or call for information on clinics performing specific services such as gender selection.

Surgery

American College of Surgeons

55 E. Erie St.

Chicago, IL 60611-2797

* Founded: 1913

* Membership: 60,000

* Telephone: (312) 664-4050

* Internet: https://www.facs.org

* Referrals: Call or write.

* Brochures: See the Web page, or write or call to request. Brochures cover how to find a qualified surgeon, getting a second opinion, operation costs, giving informed consent. Some cover specific operations.

American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery

2404 Stewart Square

Wausau, WI 54401

* Founded: 1981

* Membership: 2,807

* Telephone: (715) 845-9283

* Referrals: Make requests in writing.

Colon and Rectal Surgery

American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons

* Founded: 1899

* Membership: 1,800

* Telephone: (847) 290-9184 or (800) 791-0001

* Referrals: Call toll-free number.

* Other: Call the toll-free line for information on colorectal diseases.