Aetna InteliHealth Launches Online, Interactive Genetic Testing Guide
Site educates consumers about the complex medical and emotional issues involved in genetic testing
HARTFORD, Conn., November 21, 2002 — Aetna InteliHealth, the online consumer health information subsidiary of Aetna Inc. (NYSE: ΑET), announced today the launch of an online, interactive genetic testing guide publicly available at www.intelihealth.com/genetics. The educational guide, created in cooperation with Harvard Medical School, aims to demystify genetic testing through credible information that dispels myths, promotes understanding, and supports informed consumer decision-making.
Aetna has already taken an industry-leading position on insurance coverage for genetic testing through the efforts of its Chairman and CEO, John W. Rowe, M.D. Dr. Rowe has been instrumental in encouraging the insurance industry to play an important role in promoting access to clinically useful genetic testing, recently testifying before a House Judiciary Committee on the subject. He has called on health plans to make available products that cover genetic testing and consultation, support physician and patient education, and work with physicians to promote strict confidentiality of test results. Now, Aetna is expanding these efforts to include much-needed consumer education.
"Predictive gene testing holds the promise of saving thousands of lives through prevention or early detection. However, there are many complex issues involved that may discourage consumers from learning whether or not testing is the right choice for their individual situation. That's why I'm so pleased that Aetna and Harvard Medical School have worked together to develop an online guide that provides credible, easily understandable information to help consumers navigate a very tricky subject," Dr. Rowe said.
"This site is an excellent way for both health care professionals and patients to learn more about the basics of genetic testing. We have provided a good starting point for discussion of the many issues that can be raised by genetic testing," said Anu Chittenden, a Certified Genetic Counselor at the Cancer Risk and Prevention Clinic, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School).
The site features more than 10,000 words of original content, dozens of illustrations, three video slide shows, an interactive quiz, animations, a one-of-a-kind decision support tool, and a feedback section for user input. It includes a "Learn The Basics" section offering background on genetic testing, as well as a condition-specific section on genetic testing for breast and ovarian cancer. Consumers are encouraged to use this information, in combination with advice from their physician, to better understand the myriad medical and emotional issues involved in genetic testing.
Over the next year, Aetna and Harvard Medical School plan to add additional condition-specific sections for other diseases including colon cancer and cystic fibrosis.
Aetna InteliHealth, an Internet company, delivers content through an in-house editorial staff and relationships with Harvard Medical School and the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. In addition, Aetna InteliHealth incorporates input from more than 150 top health organizations -- including the National Institutes of Health -- key health associations and major medical-publishing companies. Aetna InteliHealth is a subsidiary of Aetna Inc. For more information about Aetna InteliHealth, please visit its website at www.intelihealth.com.
Aetna is one of the nation's leading providers of health, dental, group life, disability and long-term care benefits, serving approximately 13.9 million medical members, 11.9 million dental members and 11.7 million group insurance customers, as of September 30, 2002. The company has expansive nationwide networks of more than 539,000 health care services providers, including over 327,000 primary care and specialist physicians and 3,300 hospitals. For more information about Aetna Inc., please visit the company's website at www.aetna.com.
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