The new health.harvard.edu launched by Harvard Health Publications offers easy accessibility to the most current practical, authoritative health information, drawing on the expertise of the 8,000 faculty physicians at the Harvard Medical School and its world-famous affiliated hospitals.

"When I became a doctor," said Dr. Anthony Komaroff, Editor in Chief and a 35-year Harvard veteran, "most patients wanted the doc to tell them what do. They didn't ask 'What are my options?' Today, there's an appetite for information and a desire to be partners with the doctor in decision making. That's why it's important that patients get their health information from credible, trusted sources."

"Our mission at Harvard Health Publications is to offer the consumers access to information that will help them make better health choices. Whether someone is suffering from a serious illness, has a chronic health condition, or just wants to know the best ways to stay healthy, we publish health newsletters, special health reports, books, and online health information that helps them find the answers they need," said Komaroff.

The new website offers the latest health news from Harvard Medical School, and excerpts from its monthly health newsletters:

* Harvard Health Letter
* Harvard Hearth Letter
* Harvard Women's Health Watch
* Harvard Men's Health Watch
* Harvard Mental Health Lette
* Perspectives on Prostate Disease (quarterly)

The Harvard Health Publications website features a number of health resources including a health dictionary which is searchable by medical condition and a guide to diagnostic tests, as well as other resources.

The website also offers a free weekly health email newsletter, HEALTHbeat, and an archive of back issues. In addition, visitors can read excerpts from approximately 50 titles of Harvard's Special Health Report series, which cover a wide range of disease conditions and health and wellness issues including:

* Alzheimer's Disease
* Healthy Eating
* High Cholesterol
* Weight Loss
* Improving Memory

health.harvard.edu features additional health resources, diagnostic tools, and customer reviews of products.