Google Health is online

Google has launched its online medical records service in the US. At Google Health, registered users can create a profile of their health status, including previous illnesses, medication, and allergies and then see what the possible effects of various medicine would be based on their online patient records. Users can search for doctors and authorise healthcare and hospital web sites, such as the Cleveland Clinic and Medco, to have access to their data.

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The service was announced in October of 2007, with an original launch date of the beginning of 2008. Google has long had its eye on health issues, a hot topic online, for its online search engine. In its blog, Google has tried to downplay criticism of sharing sensitive user data with a private company, by arguing that the data are protected. At the moment, there is no advertising at Google Health. But the Wall Street Journal writes that Google has not ruled out the possibility of having advertising there at some point.

Google exec Marissa Mayer says that in this information age, it doesn't make sense for so many people never to have access to their patient records. This new service is designed to give them an opportunity to manage their data themselves and take it along with them when they switch to another doctor. She also claims Google Health will help users see how health issues are interrelated and improve disease prevention.

(trk)