Facts On File, the award-winning publisher of print and online reference materials for schools and libraries, is pleased to announce the launch of the completely redesigned and updated Health Reference Center database—a part of its continual effort to improve upon its online publishing program. This extensive redesign boasts a new interface, greater functionality, new special features, a significant amount of new content, and much more.

“The Health Reference Center redesign is very exciting for us, with not only a considerable amount of new content but also a more effective way of packaging that content for users, particularly in the high school curriculum,” said Nicole Bowen, Facts On File’s Director of Electronic Publishing. “The new videos are an extremely valuable new addition, and the new special features and call-outs provide convenient entry ways into key areas of the database.”

Among the many new enhancements featured in the completely redesigned Health Reference Center are:

• An Attractive New Interface—The home page has been completely redesigned to be more visually appealing as well as to offer faster, more direct access to the database’s wealth of content—by bringing forward content areas of interest to high school students and the general public.
• New Images and Videos—More than 560 educational videos on a wide range of health topics have been added, along with more than 460 new images. The videos, which are searchable and browsable, include captions that provide users with important contextual information.
• News Articles—The new “Health in the News” section features regularly updated health news articles, as well as an archive of past headlines, separated by topic for easy browsing.
• Comprehensive Subject and Health Center Guides—Our newly developed “Explore Subjects” and “Health Centers” sections bring forward broad and inclusive information on issues important to schools and public library users. Content is conveniently organized into five subjects: Body Systems, Conditions and Diseases, Drug Abuse and Addiction, Mental Health and Developmental Disorders, and Nutrition and Wellness. Special Health Centers call out articles focusing on health topics affecting four demographic groups: women, men, children, and seniors.
• New Content—Hundreds of new entries have been added from Facts On File’s and Chelsea House’s new and outstanding print titles, covering key areas such as addiction, learning disabilities, adoption, sports medicine, stress-related diseases, and much more.
• A More Effective Search Results Page—Search results are now organized using a new tabbed interface, are listed by relevancy, and display record type (such as “All Results,” “Topics,” “Images and Videos,” “News Articles,” “Organizations,” and more).
• Improved Search and Browse Tools—Search terms are now highlighted, making it easy for users to narrow in on specific terms within an entry. Editorially picked related links, extensive in-text hyperlinks, and suggested searches guide further research. A persistent record link at the end of each page allows users to share records.
• Special Features:
  • “Editor’s Feature of the Month” highlighting a timely topic
  • Searchable and browsable sections with detailed information on medical tests, drugs, and organizations
  • Clickable food pyramid
  • BMI calculator
  • Listing of various hotlines to help students struggling with a wide range of issues—from depression and suicide to rape and domestic violence.