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October 3, 2008
Two Health Sites Merge to Challenge WebMD
Two health sites have merged in what many are saying will be a challenge to health search giant WebMD. The Revolution Health Network and Waterfront Media are joining forces to dominate the health space. Waterfront Media runs the Everyday Health Network.
AOL co-founder Steve Case, now CEO of Revolution Health said, "When we entered the health care market we knew one of the areas we wanted to focus on was using the Internet to empower consumers and give them more choice, control and convenience. The merger of Waterfront Media and Revolution Health Network builds on each company's complementary strengths to create a new industry powerhouse — thus enabling us to accelerate our efforts to reach the largest, most engaged audience and help people stay healthy, manage chronic disease and deal with serious illness."
What do you think about the merger? Can they take on WebMD? Give your predictions in the comments.
Related Reading:
Searching for Healthcare: How Online Communities are Changing the Face of Medicine
Microsoft Secures Search Ad Partnership with Rodale's Health Sites
WebMD CEO Fights Off Google Health Virus with SEO
h/t Reuters
Posted by Nathania Johnson on October 3, 2008 11:55 AM
Comments
Andrew Schorr October 5, 2008 1:01 PM
Nathania, I was the co-founder, with my wife, of HealthTalk and left 3 years ago. HealthTalk became part of Revolution Health and now will be part of Everyday Health.
I think all the consolidation is fine if there remains a place for freewheeling, interactive communication for all types of health discussions. My focus is on serious diagnosis and families touched by them.
I am also excited about Health 2.0 and user generated content with a big emphasis on video - like CNN has with I-Reports. That's what we will soon have at www.patientpower.info and relationships with big communities of patients who participate.
What troubles me about the big sites is they can be beholden to big corporate sponsors. That can make them timid. For example, right now there should be a raging debate debate about the politicians and their health plans.
Is WebMD doing it? Everyday Health? I don't think so. But does it matter to real people? Absolutely! Look for some powerful discussion on our site and maybe you can blog about it too.
So, the short answer is: big is not always better. It's the same with the bank conglomerates that are taken shape right now. Service is expected to go down and fees will go up. With Health sites we may end up with more Bland that's of less value.
Andrew Schorr, Seattle