Dialing for Medical Data

A wide range of travel health information is available just by picking up the telephone. Government, private and commercial organizations fund the phone services that answer questions, as well as provide taped information. Some telephone services will fax literature or mail brochures and directories. Some are toll-free.

To help keep a trip trouble-free, travelers should arm themselves with health information before leaving home. Here are a few telephone numbers that will assist in doing so.

* Perhaps the most useful source for travelers, the government’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention voice information system offers taped or faxed data on a plethora of travel topics. By selecting from a list of options, callers with touch-tone phones can hear government advisories about immunizations required for specific destinations, recommended food and water precautions and other preventive health measures, and locations where there may be disease outbreaks: telephone (404) 332-4555.

* The Superintendent of Documents office accepts telephone orders for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “Health Information for International Travel” book, which includes specific immunization information by country--updated yearly--and other travel advice, such as a discussion of cruise ship sanitation. Cost of the book is $4.75: tel. (202) 783-3238.

* The U.S. Department of State’s Citizens Emergency Center can inform families in the United States of medical emergencies sustained by U.S. citizens abroad and will refer travelers abroad to companies offering evacuation services: tel. (202) 647-5225.

* International Assn. for Medical Assistance to Travelers provides a free directory of English-speaking doctors in 500 countries. It also offers immunization information by telephone and will mail out information about climate conditions and health precautions for specific destinations. Among its free publications, which can be ordered by telephone: “World Immunization Chart,” “Traveller Clinical Record,” “Be Aware of Schistosomiasis,” “How to Protect Yourself Against Malaria” and “World Climate Chart.” Call (716) 754-4883 between 5 a.m. and 1 p.m.

* American Academy of Allergy and Immunology operates an information line 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Staff can answer questions about pollen counts at specific U.S. destinations and suggest precautions for travelers with allergies and asthma: tel. (800) 822-2762.

* American Diabetes Assn. in Los Angeles, provides information about traveling with diabetes. Calls taken 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays: tel. (213) 381-3639.

* Arthritis Foundation, Southern California Chapter, will answer questions about traveling with arthritis as well as mail out a free brochure, “Travel Tips for People With Arthritis.” Staffed 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays, or leave a message: tel. (800) 954-2873.

* The Orange County Health Care Agency provides over-the-phone information about immunizations worldwide: tel. (714) 834-8330.

* Los Angeles County Department of Health Services provides names of physicians qualified to administer yellow fever vaccinations--something not all physicians do--in the caller’s geographic area within Los Angeles County: tel. (213) 240-7941.

* In medical emergencies, some telephone companies can provide help by offering expert translation to medical personnel via the phone. Call before leaving the country for information on how to do so. Among services available:

AT&T; Language Line Services, (tel. 800-628-8486), offers over-the-phone interpretation from English to 140 languages, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including translation in case of medical emergencies, priced per minute, depending upon the language required. From 280 countries around the world, travelers can call (tel. 408-648-5871) and ask to be connected to Language Line Services.

MCI offers travelers in 280 foreign countries translation services in 19 languages. For information: tel. (800) 728-3287.

* National Insurance Consumer Helpline, sponsored by the Health Insurance Assn. of America, will send callers information on traveler’s health insurance, including types of insurance available and companies that offer it. Operates 5 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays: tel. (800) 942-4242.

* The National Safety Council accepts telephone orders for a variety of free travel health and safety information, including printed material discussing how to stay safe on vacation, how to survive hotel fires, how to avoid carjacking and how to drive defensively: tel. (800) 621-7619.

* National Kidney Foundation, tel. (800) 747-5527, can provide telephone numbers and addresses of dialysis centers worldwide.