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):
https://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)
https://ec.europa.eu/health/index_en.htm

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

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

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