Government Agencies and Clearinghouses

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) (www.ahrq.gov/)
The mission of AHRQ is to support research designed to improve the outcomes and quality of health care, reduce its costs, address patient safety and medical errors, and broaden access to effective services. The research sponsored, conducted, and disseminated by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) provides information that helps people make informed decisions and improve the quality of health care services. AHRQ provides evidence-based information on health care outcomes; quality; and cost, use, and access. AHRQ was formerly known as the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research.

Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC) (www.bphc.hrsa.gov/)
The BPHC is one of four bureaus of the Health Resources and Services Administration. BPHC addresses the primary care needs of medically underserved people. The site provides data sources, information, and resources to those interested in primary care.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (www.cdc.gov/)
The CDC is recognized as the lead federal agency for protecting the health and safety of people, providing credible information to enhance health decisions, and promoting health through strong partnerships. CDC serves as the national focus for developing and applying disease prevention and control, environmental health, and health promotion and education activities designed to improve the health of the people of the United States.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) (www.cms.hhs.gov/)
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' mission is to assure health care security for beneficiaries. In serving beneficiaries, CMS will open their programs to full partnership with the entire health community to improve quality and efficiency in an evolving health care system. This site provides links to a variety of CMS information available from a variety of sources.

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) (www.hrsa.gov/)
The Health Resources and Services Administration's mission is to improve and expand access to quality health care for all. HRSA assures the availability of quality health care to low income, uninsured, isolated, vulnerable and special needs populations and meets their unique health care needs. This site provides a variety of resources and data sources related to access to health care issues.

HRSA Information Center (www.ask.hrsa.gov/)
The HRSA Information Center is a searchable database of publications, resources, and referrals on health care services for low-income, uninsured individuals and those with special health care needs. The National Maternal and Child Health Clearinghouse has merged with the HRSA Information Center.

Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) (www.mchb.hrsa.gov/)
The MCHB is a Bureau of the Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The MCHB provides a foundation and structure for assuring the health of American mothers and children. The MCHB serves women and children so that a society where children are wanted and born with optimal health, receive quality care and are nurtured lovingly and sensitively as they mature into healthy, productive adults.

Maternal and Child Health Library: A Virtual Guide to MCH Information (www.mchlibrary.info/)
The MCH Library is part of the National Center for Education in Maternal and Child Health (NCEMCH) at Georgetown University. The MCH Library is a virtual guide to MCH information, and it provides pathways to the best MCH information available from a variety of sources.

National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP) (www.cdc.gov/nccdphp)
NCCDPHP provides national leadership in areas of health promotion and chronic disease prevention by conducting public health surveillance, epidemiologic studies, and behavioral interventions; by disseminating guidelines and recommendations; and by assisting state health and education agencies to increase their capacity to prevent chronic diseases and promote healthful behaviors. The NCCDPHP partners with state and local health and education departments; other federal health agencies; international and national health organizations; academic institutions; philanthropic foundations; industry and labor groups; and professional, voluntary and community organizations. NCCDPHP works with partners to develop, implement, and promote effective prevention efforts nationwide.

National Institutes of Health (NIH) (www.nih.gov/)
NIH is one of the agencies of the Public Health Services and is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is comprised of 27 institutes and centers. NIH is the steward of medical and behavioral research for the Nation. The goal of NIH research is to acquire new knowledge to help prevent, detect, diagnose, and treat disease and disability. They do this by conducting research in their own laboratories, by supporting the research of non-Federal scientists in universities, medical schools, hospitals, and research institutions throughout the country and abroad, by helping in the training of research investigators, and by fostering communication of medical information.

Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) (odphp.osophs.dhhs.gov/default.htm)
The ODPHP is an office of the Department of Health and Human Services that works to strengthen the disease prevention and health promotion priorities of DHHS within the collaborative framework of the DHHS agencies. This site features program and funding announcements and has links to several on-line publications concerning federal health promotion and disease prevention activities.

2007 Federal Health Information Centers and Clearinghouses (http://www.health.gov/nhic/Pubs/clearinghouses.htm)
This document of health related clearinghouses is compiled annually by the National Health Information Center, which is a service of the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office of Public Health and Science, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Contact information for each of the clearinghouses is provided.