The significant role of the National Health Information Portal, http://health.mw.go.kr

Abstract

The National Health Information Portal (http://health.mw.go.kr), a collaborative project by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korean Academy of Medical Sciences, was officially launched in January 2011. In the modern society, the internet and smart phones have been flooded with health information, in addition to the information available through traditional media such as newspapers, television, and radio broadcasting. The Korean Medical Association and the Korean Academy of Medical Sciences have expanded their work in several directions, including a monitoring project to correct wrong health information that is commonly used. Nevertheless, they are confronted with the fundamental problem that they are unable to keep up with the speed of production and diffusion of health information in modern society. This initiative of the National Health Information Portal led by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korean Academy of Medical Sciences is significant in that anyone with internet access can easily find proven health information. Unlike existing health information, the National Health Information Portal is structured to help improve understanding by presenting a variety of materials, such as cartoons, pictures, photos, and videos, as compared to simple documents or texts. In addition, it is constructed with a feedback system so that the consumer of the health information can directly and easily access specific content. Furthermore, the National Health Information Portal continues to strive to provide practical contents with mobile services like smart phone applications. We expect the National Health Information Portal to make a contribution to the prevention and treatment of disease by reducing unnecessary medical expenditures, and providing quality health information to society.