Health and Social Assistance Services

Telephone Hotlines
- Cancer Patients and Oncologists
  Call 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237) for information, referrals and support services for cancer patients and oncologists affected by Hurricane Katrina. Available in English and Spanish, from 9 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. (National Cancer Institute)
- Child Care Aware
  Call 1-800-424-2246, Child Care Aware, which is a free, federally-funded service that can connect you to a local child care resource and referral agency that knows the child care situation where you are; they can help you find available and affordable child care and help you find out if you qualify for free or subsidized child care. (Administration for Children and Families)
- Drug and Drug Product Information
  Call 1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332) for information on the use of drugs that have been potentially contaminated by flooding or unsafe water, and the use of temperature-sensitive drug products that have been involved in a temporary electrical power failure. Available from 8 AM to 4:30 PM EST, Monday through Friday. (Food and Drug Administration)
- Food Safety
  Call 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) with food safety questions. Available in English and Spanish, from 10 AM to 4 PM EDT, Monday through Friday. (U.S. Department of Agriculture)
- Health and Safety
  Call 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636), TTY 1-888-232-6348, for information on hazards, safe clean up, and preventing illness and injury. Available in English and Spanish, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Medical Consultation Line
  Call 1-866-887-2842 for telephone medical consultation service for all patients affected by Hurricane Katrina. Medical experts at the National Institutes of Health, academic medical centers and the nation's medical professional societies are available to provide medical consultations on a wide array of medical problems. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. (National Institutes of Health)
- Mental Health Crisis Counseling
  Call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255), TTY 1-800-799-4889, if you or a loved one are in emotional distress or suicidal in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. You will speak to trained staff who will give you immediate access to local resources, referrals and expertise. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. (National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
- More Hurricane Katrina Hotlines (FirstGov.gov)
- Locate Healthcare Providers
- Directories of Healthcare Professionals and Facilities (MedlinePlus.gov)
- Medicare Participating Physician Directory (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services)

This page last reviewed: January 17, 2012