• National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Information Clearinghouse
National Institutes of Health
1 AMS Circle
Bethesda,  MD 20892-3675
Phone: 301-495-4484
Toll Free: 877-22-NIAMS (226-4267)
TTY: 301–565–2966
Fax: 301-718-6366
Email: NIAMSinfo@mail.nih.gov

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases provides information about various forms of arthritis and rheumatic diseases. It distributes patient and professional education materials and also refers people to other sources of information.

• National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
National Institutes of Health
Building 31, Room 7A50,
31 Center Drive, MSC 2520
Bethesda,  MD 20892-2520
Phone: (301) 496-5717
Fax: (301) 402-0120

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases conducts and supports research that strives to understand, treat, and ultimately prevent the myriad infectious, immunologic, and allergic diseases that threaten hundreds of millions of people worldwide. The Institute's mission is driven by a strong commitment to basic research and the understanding that the fields of immunology, microbiology, and infectious disease are related and complementary.

• National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
National Institutes of Health
P.O. Box 7923
Gaithersburg,  MD 20898
Phone: 301-519-3153
Toll Free: 888-644-6226
TTY: 866-464-3615
Fax: 866-464-3616
Email: info@nccam.nih.gov

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine is dedicated to exploring complementary and alternative healing practices in the context of rigorous science, training complementary and alternative medicine researchers, and disseminating authoritative information to the public and professionals.

• American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)
6300 North River Road
Rosemont,  IL 60018-4262
Toll Free: 800-824-BONE (2663)
Fax: 847-823-8125
Email: pemr@aaos.org

The Academy provides education and practice management services for orthopaedic surgeons and allied health professionals. It also serves as an advocate for improved patient care and informs the public about the science of orthopaedics. The orthopaedist's scope of practice includes disorders of the body's bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons. For a single copy of an AAOS brochure, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the address above or visit the AAOS Web site.

• American College of Rheumatology (ACR)
1800 Century Place, Suite 250
Atlanta,  GA 30345-4300
Phone: 404-633-3777
Fax: 404-633-1870

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) is an organization of doctors and associated health professionals who specialize in arthritis and related diseases of the bones, joints, and muscles. The Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals, a division of ACR, aims to enhance the knowledge and skills of rheumatology health professionals and to promote their involvement in rheumatology research, education, and quality patient care. The association also works to advance and promote basic and continuing education in rheumatology for health professionals who provide care to people with rheumatic diseases.

• Arthritis Foundation
P.O. Box 7669
Atlanta,  GA 30357-0669
Phone: 404-872-7100
Toll Free: 800-283-7800
Fax: 703-684-7343

The Arthritis Foundation is devoted to supporting arthritis research and providing educational and other services to individuals with arthritis. The foundation publishes a free pamphlet on rheumatoid arthritis and a magazine for members on all types of arthritis. It also provides up-to-date information on research and treatment, nutrition, alternative therapies, and self-management strategies. Chapters nationwide offer exercise programs, classes, support groups, physician referral services, and free literature. The foundation also has free information about lupus, scleroderma, and other autoimmune and rheumatic conditions on its Web site.

Acknowledgments
The NIAMS gratefully acknowledges the assistance of the following people in the preparation and review of this and earlier versions of this publication: John H. Klippel, M.D., Arthritis Foundation, Washington, DC; Amye L. Leong, Paris, France; Michael D. Lockshin, M.D., Barbara Volcker Center for Women and Rheumatic Disease, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York; Kate Lorig, R.N., Dr.P.H., Stanford University, Stanford, California; J. Lee Nelson, M.D., Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington; Paul G. Rochmis, M.D., Fairfax, Virginia; Ronald L. Wilder, M.D., Ph.D., MedImmune, Inc., Gaithersburg, Maryland; Stanley R. Pillemer, M.D, NIH; and Reva Lawrence, M.P.H., Paul H. Plotz, M.D., and Susana Serrate-Sztein, M.D., NIAMS, NIH. Special thanks also go to Cheryl Yarboro, R.N., B.S.P.A., NIAMS, NIH, and to the patients who reviewed this publication and provided valuable input.

The mission of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), a part of the Department of Health and Human Services' National Institutes of Health (NIH), is to support research into the causes, treatment, and prevention of arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases, the training of basic and clinical scientists to carry out this research, and the dissemination of information on research progress in these diseases. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information Clearinghouse is a public service sponsored by the NIAMS that provides health information and information sources. Additional information can be found on the NIAMS Web site at www.niams.nih.gov.

Excerpted from Handout on Health,  from The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases