Best Sites: Year-End Roundup

As we bid farewell to the year, and to the 1990s, it seems fitting to look to the Internet. It is our home reference library, homework tool and communication vehicle. You can conveniently shop for books, clothing, toys--almost anything. For many of us, it has become as much a part of our daily routine as the telephone.

Accordingly, the number of people turning to the Internet for health information has increased substantially since the start of the year. Recent Harris polls found that, in January, 60 million people in the United States had gone online seeking health information, and by June, that number had increased by 10 million.

So as we reflect on 1999 and prepare to enter a new millennium, you may want to add some of my favorite health sites to your list of frequent online destinations:

Healthfinder (https://www.healthfinder.gov): I still find this government site one of the best and friendliest first stops on the Web. It’s bright, clean and straightforward. The links are plentiful, and even the most naive newcomer will find this search vehicle easy to navigate. You won’t find fancy bells and whistles or elaborate graphics (a red apple and a leaf are the highlights), but this trustworthy resource will provide top-notch results again and again.

Medscape (https://www.medscape.com): This site just keeps going and going. I wrote about it in February, just as a former editor of the Journal of the American Medical Assn., Dr. George Lundberg, was joining the team. The site was, and still is, a reliable place for solid, detailed information about diseases and other health conditions. It boasts the largest online collection of peer-reviewed journals and is a leader in setting ethical standards for health and medical sites. It’s heavy on data because it was designed primarily for health professionals. But because many consumers and patients were logging in, the company has spun off a new site with CBS, Healthwatch by Medscape. Stay tuned for a review.

BabyCenter (https://www.babycenter.com): Boy, do I love this site. It has information, shopping, health tips, interactive tools and calculators, lullaby lyrics, Q&As;, bulletin boards and chat rooms for all stages--from pre-conception to the toddler years. It is definitely a commercial site, with ads and opportunities to shop throughout. But the ads are clearly identified, and the content is exhaustive, timely, useful and fun.

PHYS (https://www.phys.com): From the publishers of Vogue, Glamour, Mademoiselle, Self, Allure and Women’s Sports and Fitness, this site is exciting and fresh. Go there for information on health, fitness, nutrition, weight loss, exercise and diet, and you won’t be disappointed. It’s hip, current, cool and written for women. And you can even “Get Physical” with PHYS’ online workout slide show.

DrKoop (https://www.drkoop.com): This site offers tips and advice on daily activities, from choosing toys to handling holiday stress, but it also provides solid references on nearly every health topic and condition. Just beware: It can be a bit overwhelming to navigate all of the options. There’s health news; drug and insurance databases; a medical encyclopedia; chat rooms; discussion groups; sections for women, men, children and seniors; and information on health concerns ranging from fish hook removal to prostate cancer. The list goes on and on. No wonder it continues to be the highest-trafficked commercial health site. And after being publicly berated for questionable advertising and sponsorship policies, the company is changing its own rules and joining the ranks of experts who are establishing ethical guidelines for health Web sites.

Medicare.gov (https://www.medicare.gov): It may look dull, but if you or a family member is Medicare-eligible, you’ll find plenty of useful and relevant information here, including a database of nursing home inspection information and an interactive tool to compare Medicare health plans. Nothing fancy, just an easy way to access this important content.

AMA Health Insight (https://www.ama-assn.org/consumer.htm): The American Medical Assn.’s consumer health site is timely, comprehensive, easy to navigate and produced by a trusted source. Although the look may not be as slick as some of the for-profit newcomers, this site covers the basics (disease information, sections for women, seniors, children, etc.) and everything else we’ve come to expect from our online providers, from health news to interactive tools. Early next year, the AMA and six other national physician groups will launch Medem.com, a health care information “super site.” I’ll keep you posted.

American Psychological Assn. (https://www.apa.org): The No. 1 health issue researched on the Internet is depression, according to a Harris poll. So we’re fortunate that this association has gone out of its way to offer an excellent mental health resource, with exciting bells and whistles to liven up the topic. Whether you need some tips on enjoying the holidays, using pets to help alleviate stress, dealing with youth and violence, handling anxiety, combating depression or exploring personality disorders, the breadth of information is astounding. APA doesn’t let you forget that your mental well-being is just as important as your physical health.

If I’ve left out any of your favorites, please write me with suggestions for next year’s columns. I’ll put them on my list of New Year’s research resolutions.

Best wishes for a happy and healthy new year.

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Marla Bolotsky is managing editor and director of online information for the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. Her column runs the first and third Monday of every month. She can be reached by e-mail at marla.bolotsky@latimes.com. Cathy K. Purcell contributed to this column.