A new service designed to provide patients, their families, and members of the Portland community with written health and wellness information has been initiated by OHSU Medical Libraries' Consumer Health Resources Center. Members of the community can call in requests for health information written for laypersons and receive in the mail a packet of articles and information researched by medical librarians from a variety of print and electronic sources of consumer health information. There is no charge for basic service. In-depth research requests are available on a fee for service basis.

Margaret Connors, Consumer Health Resources Coordinator, reports the project is already enjoying a brisk business and is being positively evaluated by consumers. Health Information by Mail, (503-494-8881) was developed with funding from a federal Department of Energy grant, and is a prelude to the opening of a consumer health library at OHSU Hospital in 1999.