The Pediatric / Adolescent Gastroesophageal Reflux Association, Inc. and The HealthCentral Network Form Unique Alliance: 'Patient Centered' Web sites for Acid Reflux Sufferers

The Pediatric / Adolescent Gastroesophageal Reflux Association, Inc. and The HealthCentral Network Form Unique Alliance: 'Patient Centered' Web sites for Acid Reflux Sufferers

PR Newswire via NewsEdge Corporation :

ARLINGTON, Va., Jan. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pediatric / Adolescent Gastroesophageal Reflux Association, Inc. (PAGER) (http://www.reflux.org) and The HealthCentral Network, Inc. (http://www.TheHealthCentralNetwork.com), announce an alliance to develop enhanced internet resources for parents whose children are diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux (GER). This relationship unites PAGER's leadership in GER education and supports The HealthCentral Network's extensive online tools and community for people seeking to manage health concerns.

Often misdiagnosed as "colic" or "stress tummy aches," several million babies and children in the United States suffer from symptoms of GER. "At PAGER, we believe that information parents share with each other can be just as valuable as medical advice, a philosophy shared by The HealthCentral Network and their focus on the 'patient expert voice' as a source of wisdom and practical tips," said Beth Anderson, Founder and Executive Director of PAGER. The mission of PAGER includes promoting greater awareness of pediatric GER within both the medical community and the general public.

"PAGER's web site at reflux.org is already an extremely popular site for acid reflux information on the internet, and working with The HealthCentral Network will allow us to provide an even richer and more supportive experience for our parents," said Anderson. Through this relationship, The HealthCentral Network will make multimedia capabilities and new tools available to PAGER, such as CareCentral, a customizable caregiving application to keep extended families and friends up-to-date and connected throughout the extraordinarily draining experience of caring for a child with acid reflux.

Initial joint projects also include an expert parent blog by PAGER Assistant Director Jan Gambino, collaboration on content with The HealthCentral Network's medical experts, and expansion of PAGER's revenue base through The HealthCentral Network representation with advertisers.

The HealthCentral Network's GER web site, AcidRefluxConnection.com, builds upon a base of comprehensive medical information to help people of all ages manage acid reflux and learn from other patients who have first-hand experience.

"PAGER has developed outstanding peer-to-peer support for parents, initiated cutting-edge research into the causes of pediatric GER and has improved recognition and diagnosis of the condition through media campaigns. The HealthCentral Network seeks to promote and augment these resources to our web site visitors," said Chris Schroeder, CEO and President of The HealthCentral Network. "This relationship is a great marriage of expertise, which addresses the medical, emotional, and practical needs of GER parents by using our cutting-edge web technology to enhance their online experience. It perfectly expresses The HealthCentral Network's unique commitment to create 'patient-centered web sites' and strong relationships with patient associations."

About The HealthCentral Network

The HealthCentral Network, Inc. (http://www.TheHealthCentralNetwork.com) has more than 30 general health and highly specific condition and wellness web properties, each committed to offering a voice in everyday and personal language people can understand and connect with at critical points in their lives. Each site provides timely, interactive, in-depth, and trusted medical information, personalized tools and resources, and connections to vast communities of expertise for people seeking to engage in, manage and improve their health. The award-winning, multimedia experience combines medically- reviewed articles from doctors and researchers, as well as news, information, video and extensive engagement from people who have great experience and empathy in specific health areas. The Company recently expanded its health and wellness offerings with the acquisition of FoodFit.com, a leading healthy eating and active living Web site, and produces the Medical Breakthroughs television, seen around the country. The HealthCentral Network received top recognition from The International Health and Medical Media Awards with a 2006 FREDDIE Award for MyDiabetesCentral.com and was awarded the Health Care Standard of Excellence WebAward from the Web Marketing Association.

Founded in the late 1990s, The HealthCentral Network, Inc. was acquired in 2005 by a team of blue-chip investors, including Sequoia Capital, Polaris Ventures, The Carlyle Group and Allen & Company. With a management team that combines decades of experience in interactive media and medical, science and news journalism, The HealthCentral Network aims for the highest standards of quality, relevance and community for patients and their caregivers.

About PAGER

PAGER is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization formed in 1992 to provide information and support to parents, patients and doctors about pediatric Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER). PAGER's mission includes promoting awareness of GER within the medical community and the general public, and promoting research into the causes, treatments and eventual cure for pediatric GER. PAGER believes that GER may not be a single disorder and there may be many treatments that work for different children. Members of PAGER include families of children (newborn to teens) with GER and related disorders, professionals who care for the children, researchers, and others interested in helping families. The PAGER web site at http://www.reflux.org receives 750,000 page views monthly and has almost 300 pages of content.

SOURCE The HealthCentral Network, Inc.