AT&T HealthSite to open on Internet for public beta test.PARSIPPANY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 10, 1996--AT&T Personal Online Services today announced it will begin a beta test A test of new or revised hardware or software that is performed by users at their facilities under normal operating conditions. Beta testing follows alpha testing. Vendors of packaged software often offer their customers the opportunity of beta testing new releases or versions, and the July 12 to evaluate consumer response to AT&T HealthSite(sm), an Internet-based source for health and fitness information, services and interactive applications. Currently, AT&T HealthSite features exclusive content from IVI Publishing IVI Publishing is an American-based home computer software company based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota in 1990 as Interactive Television, but later renamed in 1991 as Interactive Ventures, Inc. (where IVI stands for) and later to its current name. It was a joint-venture with the Mayo Clinic. , Rodale Press Rodale Press (accented on second syllable), incorporated as Rodale Inc., is one of the world's largest publishers of health and fitness related books and magazines, including publications on organic gardening. and MediLife Inc. Visitors will find everything from entertaining and useful applications for weight loss, workouts and stress management, to personalized health-management programs and authoritative information on diseases, conditions, treatments and therapies. Consumers will also have access to online advice on general health topics from health and fitness experts and support groups. During the beta test, visitors will be encouraged to provide feedback on the site. The first 10,000 beta visitors to register on AT&T HealthSite and complete a survey will receive their choice of a first-edition hardcover book from Rodale Press: either Total Health for Women or Total Health for Men. "AT&T HealthSite is using the unique capabilities of the Internet and AT&T's communications expertise to make health and fitness information easy to find, easy to use and easy to understand," said Caroline Vanderlip, president of Personal Online Services. "Whether you are a parent just checking for information on your child's earache ear·ache n. Pain in the ear; otalgia. , a person with diabetes seeking ongoing health-management support, or a fitness enthusiast refining your training routine, you will be able to find authoritative information, answers from experts and a community of support - all at a single Internet address There are two kinds of addresses that are widely used on the Internet. One is a person's e-mail address, and the other is the address of a Web site, which is known as a URL. Following is an explanation of Internet e-mail addresses only. For more on URLs, see URL and Internet domain name. ." IVI Publishing, a Minneapolis-based publisher of health and medical information, is offering definitive medical information from Mayo Clinic Mayo Clinic: see Mayo, Charles Horace. Mayo Clinic voluntary association of more than 500 physicians in Rochester, Minnesota. [Am. Hist.: EB, 11: 723] See : Medicine in Mayo Health O@sis, which features a library of health articles and the opportunity to submit questions to Mayo Clinic staff. IVI IVI Intelligent Vehicle Initiative IVI International Vaccine Institute IVI Interchangeable Virtual Instrument IVI Intravenous Infusion IVI Interactive Video Instruction IVI Intra Venous Injection IVI Institute for Vision Improvement IVI Interactive Video Initiative has also developed a section based on HealthNews, a sister publication of the New England Journal of Medicine The New England Journal of Medicine (New Engl J Med or NEJM) is an English-language peer-reviewed medical journal published by the Massachusetts Medical Society. It is one of the most popular and widely-read peer-reviewed general medical journals in the world. created for consumers. "As the health care system and population demographics change, there is a growing need for accessible, accurate and useful health and medical information," said Dr. Brooks S. Edwards, Mayo Clinic cardiologist and medical director of Mayo Health O@sis. "The Internet is an important way for Mayo Clinic to provide timely information that can help people become more knowledgeable about their health." "Through AT&T HealthSite, our goal is to empower people in their quest for Verb 1. quest for - go in search of or hunt for; "pursue a hobby" quest after, go after, pursue look for, search, seek - try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of; "The police are searching for clues"; "They are searching for the healthier living and to help them make more informed decisions about their own health care," said Ron Buck, chairman and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of IVI. Rodale Press, a leading publisher of health lifestyle magazines and books, has created content based on its bestselling Men's Health Men's Health Definition Men's health is concerned with identifying, preventing, and treating conditions that are most common or specific to men. and Prevention magazines, as well as popular books such as Doctor's Book of Home Remedies. The site will feature a variety of practical and entertaining information and interactive applications, such as Weight Loss Workbook, Food Scanner, and Personal Trainer personal trainer person n → (persönlicher) Fitnesstrainer m, (persönliche) Fitnesstrainerin f . "The Internet offers an exciting opportunity to make health and fitness information easy to understand and fun to use," said Susan Russo, general manager of Rodale Health Online. "At Rodale Health Online, we provide practical, passionate, personal and persuasive information that can help people achieve a full and healthy lifestyle." AT&T HealthSite also includes the MediLife Diabetes Center developed by MediLife Inc., a producer of interactive applications and online resources that help people create personal plans to manage their health and chronic conditions. Users will be able to take classes online and get information on everything they need, from meals to medications. Future MediLife health-management centers on AT&T HealthSite will cover nutrition, weight, HIV/AIDS HIV/AIDS Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome , heart and women's health Women's Health Definition Women's health is the effect of gender on disease and health that encompasses a broad range of biological and psychosocial issues. . "Information and interactivity are powerful tools that can help people take control of their lives," said Frank Sinton, president, MediLife Inc. "We believe AT&T HealthSite's online health centers will become the health care professional's vital partner for helping people with specific chronic conditions have the best quality of life possible." Over the next few months, plans call for AT&T HealthSite to introduce new content providers and features that willtake it closer to its goal of a fully personalized and localized service with the deepest and broadest content available. Planned additions include comprehensive information on local doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, medical associations and support groups. Personal profiles will help users find and organize information to meet their individual needs. Other upcoming features include the ability to buy services and products in a secure environment; easy-to-use chats and forums; and the option of having news and information delivered via multiple media, such as email, fax, pager or phone. In addition to evaluating consumer needs and interest in an online health and fitness service, AT&T will use the beta test to explore several business model concepts for web-based online services. AT&T HealthSite will use NetGravity AdServer software from NetGravity, San Mateo, Calif., to manage its advertising inventory, dynamically target ads, automate ad sales efforts and provide real-time reports to advertisers. Consumers can access AT&T HealthSite at http://www.atthealthsite.com using any Internet service provider Internet service provider (ISP) Company that provides Internet connections and services to individuals and organizations. For a monthly fee, ISPs provide computer users with a connection to their site (see data transmission), as well as a log-in name and password. , including AT&T WorldNet(sm) Service. A Netscape 2.0 browser or its equivalent is required to view the full features of AT&T HealthSite. CONTACT: AT&T Chris Pfaff, 201/331-4143 (office) 212/866-1643 (home) cpfaff@attmail.com or Spector & Associates John Tunney, 201/331-4291 or 201/467-5858 or InterScience Susan Newberry, 212/468-3786 or IVI Publishing John Rodning, 612/996-6158 or MediLife Inc. Nancy Baumgartner, 508/371-3170 or Rodale Press Inc. Patrick Taylor, 610/967-8621 |
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