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New government Web site guides health-care surfers
April 15, 1997
Web posted at: 7:00 p.m. EDT (2300 GMT)From Reporter Kathleen Koch
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The government has stepped in to help consumers sort out the many health-related sites on the Internet, with a Web site of its own called "healthfinder."
The site launched Tuesday contains the latest medical data from government agencies and dozens of university and nonprofit health organizations. It also offers many links.
"It is a state-of-the-art gateway, connecting people to health information that is clear, reliable and, most important, all in one place," said Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala.
About one in three adult Internet surfers is looking for health information, and must wade through some 10,000 medical sites, many created for profit. The Journal of the American Medical Association warns browsers to beware.
"There is a lot of bad information," said the Journal's Bill Silberg. "More importantly, there is a lot of incomplete information. There is a lot of information that simply can't be evaluated well."
The new government site, featuring a cheerful red apple logo at http://www.healthfinder.gov, carries data medically reviewed for accuracy. It lets users search by letter of the alphabet and by subject, or take a guided tour of available information on a specific illness.
One expert believes such sites are causing a revolution in traditional health-care roles.
"Patients are going to be in a much more central role," said Dr. Tom Ferguson, author of "Health on-Line."
"They'll be researching their condition, they'll be participating in online self-help groups, they'll be interacting with their doctors a little bit more as colleagues, not just following orders."
Researchers say doctors are worried about patients seeking outside information, although they're also not willing take the time to inform the patients themselves.
"When we've asked physicians, 'would you give your patients your e-mail address?' the resounding answer was 'no.' And it was a time issue, it was an access issue," said health-care analyst Michael Brown.
The new Web site, while intended to help consumers, also warns users that its information is not designed to replace doctor consultations.
Related sites:
Note: Pages will open in a new browser window
- Healthfinder
- Health Care Financing Administration
- American Medical Association
- Department of Health and Human Services
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