AARP Launches Four Online Health Tools To Empower Consumers To Make Informed Choices In Care

Main Category: IT / Internet / E-mail
Also Included In: Public Health;  Pharmacy / Pharmacist;  Seniors / Aging
Article Date: 26 Aug 2008 - 0:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

AARP announced that it has added four new health tools to its Web site, to help consumers get trusted, reliable online health information. These tools will enable people to do everything from choose an excellent doctor or hospital, to better understand and evaluate their own health symptoms, conditions and medicines.

"Online tools like these truly empower those who may be seeking health information for themselves and family caregivers to more easily navigate today's health care options," said Nataki Clarke, AARP Director of Online Marketing. "Consumers can take advantage of these resources in order to maintain their independence as they age and live the most vibrant lives possible."

The tools, which can be found on http://www.aarp.org/health, include the following:

- Symptom Search provided by Healthline Networks: This highly regarded clinical application from Healthline Networks leverages Medically Guided™ search technology to analyze user symptoms and produce a ranked list of likely causes. Healthline Symptom Search features ten times more coverage than other online symptom checkers, with a relational database of more than one million diseases, symptoms and their synonyms, and easy-to-use personalization options so users can narrow or refine their searches for greater accuracy.

- Health Illustrated Encyclopedia provided by A.D.A.M. (NASDAQ: ADAM): Viewed by many as one of the best in the industry, this knowledgebase is continually updated, very comprehensive, and includes over 3,600 articles and 2,000 images spanning categories such as diseases & conditions; injuries; symptoms; nutrition; surgeries; tests; poisoning; and special topics. Readable and easy-to-use, the encyclopedia will clarify many aspects of health care for countless 50+ Americans.

- Doctor and Hospital Finder provided by HealthGrades: This tool, from a leading healthcare ratings organization, has been specially customized to AARP's demographic, enabling individuals to easily research doctors and compare the quality ratings of hospitals by specific location and medical condition or specialty. It includes a "map it" feature powered by MapQuest, which shows how many miles the doctor's office or hospital is from the patient, and a "patient experience" feature, allowing users to view patient ratings on doctors and provide their own.

- Drug Database & Interaction Checker provided by Gold Standard: This high quality, user-friendly database offers people continuously fresh information about prescription drugs, over-the-counter products, and alternative medicines. It also includes the MedCounselor Drug Interaction Alert, which reveals and ranks interactions between prescription medications, over-the-counter, herbal, and nutritional products, as well as lifestyle factors like caffeine, tobacco and grapefruit juice. Gold Standard's Drug Database has been ranked #1 in the nation by two independent school of pharmacy studies.

"AARP.org is confident that these tools will enrich the lives of our current and prospective members," said Clarke. "AARP chose these four offerings because we believe they are among the best of online consumer health care resources."

For more information about the new health tools, please log on to http://www.aarp.org/health.

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 33 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's 39 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

http://www.aarp.org