ActivHealth.com Plans for Internet Debut
Empowering Members to Take Control of Their Own Health Care Education Is Our Goal

Nashville, TN -- Every day, millions of people are turning to the Internet for information on a variety of topics. One of the most researched topics is health care and health-related topics. ActivHealth.com is the site for information on a wide range of topics including nutrition, osteoporosis, cancer and heart disease. These and a variety of other health and wellness related topics will soon be available via ActivHealth.com's Personal Health Development (PHD) Network. ActivHealth.com has a new partnership with Duke University Medical Center and is the web site some are calling the "knowledge store" for personal wellness.

"We are committed to being an active partner, supporting our members in the development of healthier lifestyles," explains Les Hutchinson, PhD, president of ActivHealth.com.

At ActivHealth.com, one can discover the facts about the detection and treatment of colon cancer or get help in creating healthier nutritional habits. In addition to the PHD Network, the site offers a store area where members can purchase the latest in vitamins and herbal supplements to support their individual nutrition needs.

ActivHealth.com is a wellness company of a different kind. Partnered with Duke University, ActivHealth.com is delivering not just health care information, but proven wellness knowledge.

"ActivHealth.com will fit a niche in both the realms of preventive medicine as well as traditional health care that never has existed before," notes Kenneth Lyles, MD, associate professor of medicine at Duke University Medical Center.

PHD Network -- Interactive Learning
The PHD Network is based on five key areas of wellness: health education, exercise and fitness, nutrition information, stress management and personal development.

It focuses on patient education, activity and follow-through, rather than simply on diagnosis and risk management, and incorporates the latest in technology and health expertise.

But just providing the information is not enough, according to Hutchinson. "We have created a truly interactive learning experience for anyone who comes to the site in search of knowledge about a particular health topic. Each lesson on our PHD Network is written by a qualified doctor or other professional and is designed to be interactive with the reader. We utilize personal information input during review of topics and offer quizzes to reinforce retention."

Once a member is registered with ActivHealth.com, he or she has total access to the site and all it offers. "To become a registered member, one can sign up through our web site, or a licensed PHD Network sponsor. Corporate wellness programs and health care providers are among our early target markets," explains Bart Sheeler, the company's chief operating officer.

"When you sign up as a member of our PHD Network, we do a simple health screening of the basics: blood pressure, heart rate, height, weight and ask a few basic health history questions. The process is much less intrusive than a basic life insurance examination," adds Sheeler.

The information gathered is used to create a health profile and determine the member's Personal Wellness Program and, if desired, can be used by the member's private physician for monitoring purposes. "We want physicians to refer their patients to our PHD Network for use as a knowledge tool," says Dr. Hutchinson.

"For example," Hutchinson continues, "let's say that Dr. Smith's patient, Mrs. Jones comes in and he discovers that she has a slightly elevated cholesterol level that can be controlled with a proper exercise and diet regime. Dr. Smith can prescribe cholesterol interactive lessons on the PHD Network to Mrs. Jones. She can pull up the information on her personal computer, learn about controlling her cholesterol and take the lesson tests to see if she is learning and retaining the information. Dr. Smith can then review her progress to see if she is following his prescription. It is simply another tool in the health education process."

"Our mission is to promote wellness education and empower members to take responsibility for their own Personal Health Development," adds Sheeler.

Web Site Shopping
While the PHD Network area of the ActivHealth.com site is only available to members, the product area is open to everyone. "We want to provide shoppers with quality products, affordable prices and the ease of shopping over the Internet," comments Sheeler, noting "our web site shopping area will promote the benefits of Personal Health Development and Wellness Education and discounts provided to PHD members will foster PHD Network registrations."

In the product area, shoppers can purchase the latest in vitamins and herbal supplements, all branded under the ActivHealth.com label. "We are providing the highest quality vitamins and herbal products available on the market today," says Charles Todd, director of product development, adding "our initial product line will focus on the importance of proper nutrition in the promotion of an active, healthy lifestyle."

ActivHealth.com
In a world of personal development and empowerment, ActivHealth.com is breaking new ground. "We are truly the knowledge store for wellness," sums up Dr. Hutchinson. "Our PHD Network members are those people who are really looking for the best information possible about a myriad of health topics, that are delivered in a personal and meaningful way. Working together, ActivHealth.com and Duke University are here to provide that knowledge."