FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 4, 2006

Contact: Alzheimer's Foundation of America
Carol Steinberg, Executive VP

866.AFA.8484

Contact: The HealthCentral Network
Lucie Leblois, Director of Marketing

703.302.1053

Alzheimer's Foundation of America and The HealthCentral Network Develop Enhanced Internet Resources

NEW YORK, NY and ARLINGTON, VA-The Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) and The HealthCentral Network, a ChoiceMedia company, have formed a partnership to create new online resources for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers. The partnership marries the extensive expertise and resources of AFA in education and care for those affected by Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses with The HealthCentral Network's multimedia capabilities and vast online community of consumers and experts.

The collaboration represents a vision on how to use the power of the internet to better serve the Alzheimer's community: to provide practical information and stay close to the daily experiences of individuals with the disease and caregivers. The HealthCentral Network's new Alzheimer's site is www.Alzheimers-Issues.com (www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers).

Initial joint projects include the development of editorial content and the creation of a dynamic message board that will give newly diagnosed individuals, caregivers, family members, professionals, and others an opportunity to discuss issues of concern and share experiences.

"We applaud The HealthCentral Network for recognizing the enormous value of education and support for all those affected by Alzheimer's disease," said Eric J. Hall, chief executive officer of AFA, a national nonprofit organization. "As the incidence of Alzheimer's disease continues to climb, it is imperative that consumers gain the broadest possible access to vital tools that can help them cope and connect."

More than 5 million individuals in the United States have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and an estimated 20 million others are involved in their caregiving.

Building on a base of comprehensive medical information about the various stages of Alzheimer's disease, Health Central's new site seeks to leverage the wisdom and experience of Alzheimer's caregivers to help others coping with similar challenges. Through new tools such as customizable Web sites to keep extended families up-to-date and regular blogs by those who can articulate with compassion and practical advice, HealthCentral hopes to provide the ultimate community site to alleviate the isolation that characterizes this disease.

Internet resources are particularly valuable to Alzheimer's caregivers who are often unable to leave their loved ones to attend educational conferences, support groups or socialize.

"We are delighted to tap into AFA's wide-ranging library of educational materials and services, network of trained professionals, and local resources, and to offer these knowledgeable and compassionate resources to our millions of Web visitors," said Chris Schroeder, chief executive officer and president of The HealthCentral Network. "We look forward to having our talented Web designers and producers collaborate with AFA's enormous network of local caregiver agencies and affiliates in developing online content that captures the Alzheimer's experience and addresses real world needs."

About The HealthCentral Network

The HealthCentral Network (www.TheHealthCentralNetwork.com) is a suite of Web sites dedicated to providing timely, in-depth, trusted medical information, personalized tools and resources, and connections to a vast community of leading experts and patients for people seeking to manage and improve their health.

The award-winning content in each Web site in the HealthCentral Network combines medically-reviewed original content from doctors, researchers and expert patients, as well as news, information, video, and other multimedia from leading authorities such as A.D.A.M, Health Day News and Ivanhoe. 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 and relevance for patients and their caregivers.

Founded in the late 1990s as the ChoiceMedia, Inc., the company has recently been acquired by a team of blue-chip investors who have brought on a new senior staff to expand, enhance and revitalize its presence as The HealthCentral Network to help health-information seekers worldwide.

About the Alzheimer's Foundation of America

The Alzheimer's Foundation of America (www.alzfdn.org), headquartered in New York City, is a national nonprofit organization that focuses on care for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses, and their families. AFA unites hundreds of member organizations in North America that provide hands-on services and programs to meet the educational, emotional, practical and social needs of families. AFA's services include a toll-free hotline, counseling by licensed social workers, educational conferences and materials, a free caregiver magazine-care ADvantage, and training of healthcare professionals. For more information, call toll-free 866-AFA-8484 or visit www.alzfdn.org.

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