PAWTUCKET — The Rhode Island Health Advocacy Forum and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America will hold an informational session to raise awareness about the resources available to help people without health insurance, from 10 a.m. to noon tomorrow at Hillside Family Medicine, 727 East Ave.

The health advocacy forum said an estimated 47 million Americans lack insurance, including more than 120,000 Rhode Islanders. Assistance is available through a wide variety of public and private sources, many people don’t know where to turn for help.

This session, organizers said, is intended to make it easier for patients to find information about coverage options.

Hillside Family Medicine is a member of Health Access RI, a group of independent doctors and medical practices around the state who provide comprehensive primary-care services to uninsured individuals for less than $400 per year.

At the event, the health advocacy forum will work with uninsured people and their families to help them learn about programs, such as Health Access RI and the Partnership for Prescription Assistance. Patients may find help getting prescription medications through the Partnership for Prescription Assistance, a nationwide effort sponsored by pharmaceutical research companies that has provided free or low-cost prescription drugs to an estimated 30,000 Rhode Islanders, according to a news release from the Rhode Island Health Advocacy Forum.

Stephen Evangelista, chairman of the health advocacy forum and president and CEO of the Arthritis Foundation of Northern and Southern New England, said, “With so many Rhode Islanders losing their health coverage these days, it is critically important that individuals with chronic disease like arthritis have access to primary care and prescription medication.”

Since the Partnership for Prescription Assistance launched its bus tour in April 2005, it has visited all 50 states and more than 2,000 cities to educate people about patient-assistance programs. The “Help is Here Express” is staffed by trained specialists able to quickly help uninsured patients in need access information about more than 475 patient-assistance programs. Patients may also access the partnership program by visiting this Web site, www.pparx.org.