• by February 13, 2001

Harris Interactive, in a recent news release, announced Best-In-Class e-Health Websites as reported in the Harris Interactive Health Care News, Issue 4. This most recent survey, using a sample of over 100,000 people who go online for health and medical information, was conducted between August and October 2000. In total,159 health sites were rated. This direction should be particularly helpful to Internet advertisers seeking to reach specific health-related markets.

Rated on Quality of information, Visuals & graphics, Links to other sites, Ease of navigation, Relevant information, Complete information, Easy to understand , Security of personal information, Confidence in information, Up-to-date information, and Reliable source of information. The winners with the best average ratings for these criteria are:

- Clinical Trials and Men's Health
The Mayo Clinic(Mayo.edu and MayoHealth.org)

- Doctor Directories and Pharmaceutical Resources
WebMD(WebMD.com)

- Alternative Medicine and Vegetarian Resources
Dr.Weil.com

- Fitness and Body Building
Prevention.com

- Government Resources
National Institutes of Health (NIH.gov)

- Health Insurance
PacifiCare.com

- Drug Information
Merck.com

- Sex and Sexuality
Playboy.com

- Pharmaceutical Companies
GlaxoWellcome.com

The full list of winners in 28 categories can be found in the referenced article, including information on the complete OnSite Study, which rates health sites visited on more than the above eleven criteria. In addition to the eleven criteria, OnSite rates sites on a range of attributes to determine consumer loyalty, involvement, and advertising receptivity.

Anne Axelrod, a senior vice-president with Harris, says "We surveyed more Americans about more aspects of the e-health landscape than any other study to date. This is a much needed comprehensive look at what health care consumers want and need in the way of information from their health care providers and others in the health care community."

Information is the operative word!

Read the whole story here.