Have you ever wondered where to turn with a specific health need? For example, what do you do if you’ve experienced a serious side effect from a drug, or an outbreak of salmonella has occurred among your family and friends? What if you need guidance on selecting health insurance, or simply want information about a disease with which you are not familiar? Often a government health agency can help.

This list includes information for agencies in the United States as well as some in other countries.

World Health Organization (WHO):
http://www.who.int/en/
The WHO is the health branch of the United Nations. As such, it works primarily with member nations rather than directly with individuals. However, in some cases (such as an outbreak of an unusual disease) it might be necessary to contact a WHO regional office.
Regional Office Telephone Numbers –
Africa: +47 241 39387
Americas: +1 202 974-3459
Europe: +45 39 17 13 44
Eastern Mediterranean: +202 27 65037
South-East Asia: +91 11 233 70971
Western Pacific: +63 2 710 2578

Europa Public Health (Europe)
http://ec.europa.eu/health/index_en.htm

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (India)
http://mohfw.nic.in/

Health Protection Agency (UK)
http://www.hpa.org.uk/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.):
http://cdc.gov/
The CDC in the United States functions as a repository for health information, a clearinghouse for data about illness prevalence, and a research institution. The CDC website is a good first source about emerging diseases. Local and state health authorities report illnesses to the CDC.
Public Inquiries: (404) 498-1515 / (800) 311-3435

Food and Drug Administration(U.S.):
http://www.fda.gov
The FDA is charged with protecting the food supply in the U.S. as well as regulating drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, and other items related to health.
Medwatch – Report serious problems associated with drugs or medical devices you prescribe, dispense, or use. See http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/how.htm.
Phone # for consumers: 1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332)

State Public Health Departments – Contact Numbers & Websites:
Alabama – (334) 206-5200 http://www.adph.org
Alaska – (907) 465-3090 http://www.hss.state.ak.us/dph/
Arizona – (602) 542-1027 http://www.azdhs.gov
Arkansas – (501) 661-2111 http://www.HealthyArkansas.com
California – (916) 558-1700 http://www.cdph.ca.gov
Colorado – (303) 692-2000 http://www.cdphe.state.co.us
Connecticut – (860) 509-7101 http://www.dph.ct.gov
Delaware – (302) 739-4700 http://www.state.de.us/dhss/dph/index.htm
District of Columbia – (202) 442-5999 http://www.dchealth.com
Florida – (850) 245-4321 http://www.doh.state.fl.us
Georgia – (404) 657-2700 http://health.state.ga.us/
Hawaii – (808) 566-4410 http://www.state.hi.us/health
Idaho – (208) 334-5500 http://www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/
Illinois – (207) 782-4977 http://www.idph.state.il.us
Indiana – (317) 233-7400 http://www.IN.gov/isdh/
Iowa – (515) 281-5605 http://www.idph.state.ia.us
Kansas – (785) 296-1086 http://www.kdhe.state.ks.us
Kentucky – (502) 564-3970 http://publichealth.state.ky.us
Louisiana – (225) 342-8093 http://www.oph.dhh.state.la.us/
Maine – (207) 287-8016 http://www.state.me.us/dhs/boh
Maryland – (410) 767-6500 http://www.dhmh.state.md.us/
Massachusetts – (617) 624-6000 http://www.state.ma.us/dph/dphhome.htm
Michigan – (517) 335-0267 http://www.michigan.gov/mdch
Minnesota – (651) 201-5000 http://www.health.state.mn.us/
Mississippi – (601) 576-7634 http://www.healthyms.com
Missouri – (573) 751-6001 http://www.health.state.mo.us
Montana – (406) 444-5623 http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/
Nebraska – (402) 471-8566 http://www.dhhs.ne.gov
Nevada – (775) 684-4200 http://health.nv.gov
New Hampshire – (603) 271-8560 http://www.dhhs.state.nh.us/
New Jersey – (609) 292-7837 http://www.state.nj.us/health
New Mexico – (505) 827-2613 http://www.health.state.nm.us
New York – (518) 474-2011 http://www.health.state.ny.us
North Carolina – (919) 733-4534 http://www.ncdhhs.gov
North Dakota – (701) 328-2372 http://www.ndhealth.gov
Ohio – (614) 466-2253 http://www.odh.state.oh.us/
Oklahoma – (405) 271-5600 http://www.health.ok.gov
Oregon – (971) 673-1300 http://www.oregon.gov/dhs
Pennsylvania – (717) 787-6436 http://www.health.state.pa.us
Rhode Island – (401) 222-2231 http://www.health.ri.gov
South Carolina – (803) 898-3300 http://www.scdhec.net/
South Dakota – (605) 773-3361 http://www.state.sd.us/doh
Tennessee – (615) 741-3111 http://health.state.tn.us
Texas – (888) 963-7111 http://www.dshs.state.tx.us
Utah – (801) 538-6111 http://health.utah.gov
Vermont – (802) 863-7280 http://www.healthyvermonters.info/
Virginia – (804) 786-3561 http://www.vdh.state.va.us
Washington – (360) 236-4501 http://www.doh.wa.gov
West Virginia – (304) 558-2971 http://www.wvdhhr.org/bph
Wisconsin – (608) 266-1251 http://www.dhfs.state.wi.us
Wyoming – (307) 777-7656 http://wdhfs.state.wy.us/wdh/