Federal health information clearinghouses.

This is an overview of the Federal government's support of health information clearinghouses--why they were initiated, their purpose, problems, and impact. Federal clearinghouses emerged in the 1960s to identify, organize, and provide access to a substantive body of information. As a support service to their sponsoring agencies, and often the only source for "fugitive" information, they constantly change to meet program priorities and facilitate the flow of information to multilevel audiences. In addition, the increasing complexity and quantity of information has intensified the need for organizing resources into coherent, manageable form. As a primary source for unbiased health information, clearinghouses strive to present a balanced view of research issues and treatment modalities. They provide inexpensive access to reliable health information, especially publicly funded research and information for the public good, and play an important role in meeting the nation's health objectives.