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Mike Mitka

JAMA. 2002;287:2202.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

For many patients, credible and comprehensible information about genetic and rare diseases has been hard to come by, but that is changing.

The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) and the National Institutes of Health's Office of Rare Diseases (ORD) have created "The Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center" offering free and immediate access to specialists who personally provide anyone who asks with accurate and reliable information about genetic and rare diseases.

Launched January 11, the information center has handled about 1000 inquiries (about 15 a day) in its first 3 months of operation. The center plans to start a marketing campaign to help people become more aware of its existence and increase inquiries. One such effort is having NHGRI and ORD staff spread the word when speaking at meetings and conferences with patients and health care professionals.

The center is getting requests on information from patients, physicians, . . . [Full Text of this Article]