HealthCentral.com Launches Site-wide Redesign

The leader in patient-centric health on the Web reveals its newly designed collection of condition-specific Web sites, highlighting a unique hybrid of in-depth medical content and patient-to-patient support community

ARLINGTON, Va., Jan. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --- The HealthCentral Network, Inc. (http://www.HealthCentral.com) today launched a comprehensive site redesign that enhances the company's unique offerings of in-depth medical information and large patient-to-patient support networks. A leader in empowering patients to take control of their healthcare management, the company has redesigned its sites to provide easier-to-use and more relevant information to people dealing with life-changing conditions.

"As a pioneer in the online health space, HealthCentral.com continues to find new ways to effectively serve the millions of patients, medical professionals, caregivers, family and friends seeking credible health information," said Chris Schroeder, CEO and President of The HealthCentral Network. "The site-wide redesign not only serves to create a more welcoming and easy-to-navigate atmosphere for those community members, but also highlights what they need most: reliable medical information and a support network that knows what they are going through and can help guide them through diagnosis and management of their conditions."

In its ongoing efforts to empower patients to take control of their health experience, HealthCentral's new sites allow users to rank content and categorize community postings by whatever topics they choose. Patients can also search the extensive recipe resource at Foodfit.com for delicious, healthy recipes that help them cope with their conditions. FoodFit was acquired by HealthCentral in 2006.

"The HealthCentral redesign makes an outstanding health resource even better," said David Mendosa, journalist and prominent HealthCentral diabetes writer. "The new sites are more visually accessible, and have a greater emphasis on the core news that people can use. Nothing goes farther to reduce the sense of isolation that so many people with life-changing conditions feel than this emphasis on information and sense of community."

To further the company's mission as a comprehensive resource for all the needs of online health seekers, HealthCentral has brought a new health product Marketplace to its sites through an agreement with HealthPricer.com, enabling its users to search a vast range of products, supplements and other items that cater to their specific conditions. The HealthCentral Network has also recently re-launched drug information center HealthSquare.com, which provides users with in-depth, up-to-the minute drug information, including dosage, side-effects warnings and possible interactions.

About The HealthCentral Network

The HealthCentral Network, Inc. (http://www.HealthCentral.com) is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 30 general health and highly specific condition and wellness Web properties. The company's unique approach offers extensive information and interactive resources - including news, advice from experts and expert patients, video, and trusted medical information from Harvard Health Publications and others - all centered around the specific needs and concerns of the patient. The company also produces the nationally syndicated television show, "Medical Breakthroughs with Dr. Dean Edell," and has a library of nearly 1,000 short-form, condition-specific videos throughout its network.

With understandable language and connections to experts and thousands of people who share their experiences and inspiration, sites in The HealthCentral Network make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and caregivers.

The HealthCentral Network was acquired in 2005 by Polaris Ventures, Sequoia Capital, The Carlyle Group and Allen & Company, and has a management team that combines decades of interactive media, medical and journalism experience. CEO and President Christopher Schroeder was the CEO and Publisher of The Washington Post Co. interactive subsidiary, and General Manager Bill Allman led Discovery Channel's interactive division.