New Features for Health Site. Dot-coms may be dying daily, but the business
of health information online is still as serious as a heart attack. Consumer
Health Interactive, a health-related Webzine, unveiled two new "Self-Care"
centers, or online databases with information about diseases and medical conditions.
The San Francisco-based publisher covers healthy living, everything from pregnancy
to repetitive stress injury, and makes medical professionals available to answer
questions via email. CHI's original content (found at BuildingBetterHealth.com)
is piped out to Web sites of several HMOs around the country. Executive Editor
Diana Hembree says the new features reflect CHI's increased focus on
disease information and work-related health issues. "We're helping people lead
healthier lives without being cloying or heavy-handed," she says. (Diana
Hembree, CHI, 415/344-1109, [email protected].)
Sophisticated Traveler Gets More Sophisticated. The New York
Times Co., has announced a complete redesign of the Sophisticated Traveler,
debuting March 5. The revamped title will feature cover photography for the
first time in its 17-year history, as well as 20 percent more editorial content.
Several regular features will profile shopping, food and entertainment in the
world's most popular travel destinations. Also look for an expanded front-of-the-book
section. (Diane McNulty, New York Times Co., 212/556-5244, [email protected].)
NPR Diversifies. National Public Radio is looking to recruit more listeners
in the African-American community. The national producer and distributor of
such popular shows as All Things Considered and Talk of the Nation
plans more outreach to African Americans by targeting black membership organizations,
historically black learning institutions, and luminaries in politics and entertainment
for story ideas. Conferences and panel discussions in large radio markets will
help with the initiative. In addition to producing 100 hours of programming
weekly, NPR syndicates programming on five continents and features original
audio and articles at its Web site, npr.org. The African-American owned PR firm
McKinney & McDowell Associates is co-developing the project.
(Nathea Lee, McKinney & McDowell, 202/833-9771.)