Four Online Interactive Tools Added by AARP to
Website's Health Section
Guides help users find disease from symptoms, check
safety of drugs, find doctors and hospitals, look up health information
Aug.
27, 2008 - AARP has added four health tools to its Web site. The data
sources, which the organization says provide “trusted, reliable online
health information,” are outside providers and their data is made
available through the AARP’s Health Section. Topics include solving
health problems to finding doctors and hospitals, but the
information is not specifically for senior citizens.
“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 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.”
Keep up with the latest news for senior citizens, baby
boomers
Aug.
27, 2008 - AARP has added four health tools to its Web site. The data
sources, which the organization says provide “trusted, reliable online
health information,” are outside providers and their data is made
available through the AARP’s Health Section. Topics include solving
health problems to finding doctors and hospitals, but the
information is not specifically for senior citizens.