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Beat Stress for Free: MSN Encourages Americans to Take It Out on the Treadmill
REDMOND, Wash. — April 6, 2009 — Stress is a fact of life. However, with the declining economy and the looming tax deadline, many Americans may feel more stressed than ever and some are looking for solutions on how to cope. To help provide some answers, MSN, in honor of Stress Awareness Month, is offering people free and healthy tips and tools on how to help manage and reduce their stress levels. According to an American Psychological Association report “Stress in America,” nearly half of Americans report that their stress level has increased over the past year, with as many as 30 percent rating their average stress level as extreme.* Specifically, eight out of 10 Americans listed money and the economy — 81 percent and 80 percent, respectively — as the main source of their stress. Although Americans employ a variety of stress-management techniques, not all methods are particularly healthy. In fact, 72 percent of Americans say they either overeat, drink alcohol, smoke or gamble as a way to manage their stress.* “Unhealthy coping techniques like a fast-food binge or stiff drink (or two) may temporarily de-stress you, but will make you feel worse in the long run,” said Martica Heaner, an MSN Health & Fitness expert and a co-author of “Lean Mommy.” “Anyone can take a positive, empowering approach to tackling stress by moving more and eating more nutritiously. If someone is not sure where to start, Fit Zone, a new fitness tool at http://health.msn.com, provides easy workouts to follow, with step-by-step exercises.” Fit Zone was designed by Heaner for MSN and reviewed by Disa Hatfield, Ph.D, formerly based at the renowned Human Performance Laboratory at the University of Connecticut in Storrs. It can be used by anyone, from beginning to advanced exercisers, and provides detailed instructions for more than 100 exercises and workouts. Other features offered on MSN that can help combat stress include these: Stress Level Calculator. The place to start. A self-assessment tool that gauges stress level based on the number of recent life changes a person has experienced. The score shows a rough estimate of a person’s current stress level and the likelihood that he or she will have health problems due to stress in the next 12 to 18 months. If the level is high, that is an indicator that a person needs to be proactive now in taking little steps to make his or her life a little easier. Train by Type. An interactive feature that helps people find a personalized workout for their activity level and personality type. People take a short quiz and are presented with a series of six workout videos, motivational articles and tips tailored for each type. My Wellness Center. A personalized tool that helps set weight-loss and fitness goals. People are able to track their daily progress and create custom meal and fitness plans unique to the user’s interests and goals. Weight Loss Calculators. Three calculators that provide the tools to assess a person’s current body-shape status, and to help develop a sound strategy for keeping weight in check. These tools include a body mass index calculator, a metabolic calculator and a weight loss calculator. Healthy Diet, Fit Body Blog. Written by Dr. Mark Dedomenico, medical director of the 20/20 Lifestyles clinic at PRO Sports Club, this blog focuses on the latest diet and fitness tips and trends. Daily Dose Blog. Written by MSN Health & Fitness staff, this blog focuses on fast-twitch health news-of-the-day topics. To de-stress during tense times, combine MSN.com fitness tools with Heaner’s top stress-fighting tips: Listen to your belly and breathing. Whether it is office politics, screaming children or a quarrel with a friend or partner, the body takes a whack every time it encounters a stressful situation. A person may feel a tightening of the chest or stomach, or may get hot inside or feel like his or her blood pressure is rising. Do not ignore these signals. Do what is needed to lessen the pains of stress overload. Bust a move. Anyone can get near-immediate relief from tension by simply starting to move their body. Exercise can be as powerful as anti-anxiety drugs (and healthier, of course). Continuous, whole-body movement such as walking, running, dancing or any cardio machine will be the most powerful. People should choose an activity suitable for their level of fitness, then start slowly to try to move for at least 10 to 15 minutes. If a person is super-stressed, waves of tension may release as soon as five minutes into the movement. Get more sleep than usual. The first sign that life is turbulent is when the tossing and turning in bed begins. Stressful sleep sucks people into a cycle that is hard to escape, as they get more tired, the stress feels magnified. People are less capable of coping with problems if they are fatigued, so they need to coddle themselves and get more sleep. So, turn off the TV and clock more hours in bed (even if a few of them are still tossing). Find a time of day for even a 20 to 30 minute nap. If extra sleep is simply not an option, then take 5 to 10 minutes to meditate. Eat to energize. A person might be feeling overweight, but may not have the time to diet or make drastic life changes. Instead of engaging in a mental tug-of-war over food choice, do not worry about calories, fat or being “good.” Instead, ask before every meal and snack, “Is this food zapping my energy and health, or is it making me stronger?” Choose nutritious substitutions whenever possible — nuts instead of candy, olives instead of crackers, brown rice or whole-wheat pasta over refined — and eat more fruit. Order reduced meat and add more veggies such as tomatoes and bell peppers to fast-food orders such as pizza, burgers and Mexican food. All the food that people eat gives the body vital nutrients that will help strengthen them from the inside out. More tips, tools and daily active inspiration on how to manage and reduce stress are available at http://health.msn.com. About Martica Heaner MSN Health & Fitness expert Martica Heaner, M.A., M.Ed. writes a weekly column for MSN that focuses on keeping fit and losing weight. Heaner is a well-known exercise physiologist and nutritionist, an award-winning fitness instructor and a health writer. In addition to the MSN column, Heaner writes for a variety of publications such as Prevention, Shape, More, The New York Times, Glamour, Redbook and Men’s Health. Heaner is also the author of eight books published internationally, including her most recent, “Lean Mommy,” co-authored with Lisa Druxman, M.A., about eating more healthfully and getting in shape after having a baby. Heaner has a bachelor of arts in English and exercise science from Smith College and two master’s degrees, an M.A. in applied physiology and an M.Ed in nutrition, from Columbia University. Martica currently is completing her Ph.D. in behavioral nutrition and physical activity at Columbia University in New York City. About MSN and Windows Live Overall, MSN, Windows Live and Microsoft.com attract more than 550 million unique users worldwide per month. With localized versions available globally in 42 markets and 21 languages, MSN is a world leader in delivering Web services to consumers and online advertising opportunities to businesses worldwide. MSN partnered with Control Room to stream Live Earth, one of the largest online entertainment events in history, with over 62 million streams worldwide. Most recently, Microsoft and BermanBraun Interactive partnered to create “Wonderwall,” a new innovative entertainment and celebrity content destination from MSN. About Microsoft Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. * American Psychological Association, “Stress in America,” October 2008 Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass on Microsoft’s corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.mspx.• • • • • • • • • •
Microsoft Streets & Trips Helps Families Take Affordable and Fun “Staycations”
REDMOND, Wash. — April 7, 2009 — Despite the down economy, many people still plan to participate in the upcoming spring and summer travel season. According to the U.S. Travel Association’s Travel Price Index, in February 2009 motor fuel prices were down 35.4 percent from one year ago. Many people are taking advantage of these lower gas prices and are planning a “staycation,” a close-to-home, often more affordable alternative to traveling abroad or even out of state. Microsoft Streets & Trips provides people with tools that make it easy to plan the perfect staycation from beginning to end. Streets & Trips is packed with tools that help take the stress out of the typical family road trip. The route-planning feature accompanied by detailed directions and more than 1.5 million points of interest, including hotels, restaurants, national parks and automated teller machines, allows travelers to plan personalized routes for a memorable and fun trip for the entire family. Streets & Trips also comes with a free trial membership to Entertainment® Online,1 which allows travelers to trim expenses by taking advantage of special savings at restaurants, hotels and special events. Road construction updates, available online at no additional charge, inform users on important local, state, national (U.S.) and international (Canada) construction updates and road closures. Streets & Trips will then create routes that bypass such hang-ups to minimize frustrating delays and unexpected stops. “Microsoft Streets & Trips is a great tool for families planning to hit the road this season,” said Anne Quaranta, product manager for Streets & Trips at Microsoft Corp. “Whether it’s getting from A to B, avoiding construction, or finding interesting places to stop along the way, Microsoft Streets & Trips helps families plan fun and memorable staycations while saving money.” Planning Helps Ensure a Smooth Ride When traveling, the last thing drivers want to encounter is an unexpected situation. Planning the trip ahead of time helps travelers to know what’s around each corner before getting behind the wheel. Here are 10 simple tips that will help get any road trip off on the right tire: Families should make sure the car is in top condition before hitting the road. Getting the oil changed, checking tire pressure and having a mechanic give the vehicle a once-over will help people avoid problems during their trip. Anything can happen out on the road, so travelers need to prepare for an emergency. Bringing items such as a flashlight, road flares, a first-aid kit and water can save families from disaster. Travelers should decide on a budget and stick to it. Before people even leave home, they can develop a trip budget by using the Microsoft Streets & Trips fuel consumption manager, which provides a cost estimate for the trip based on the car’s tank size and mileage per gallon. Make the planning a family affair. Kids will love being involved in the planning process. It’s not only educational, but it also will help parents avoid the dreaded “Are we there yet?” Creating a themed vacation can be a lot of fun for families; for example, visiting all the major national parks in the area, or touring the famous Route 66. Staycationers should always factor in time for fun. By using the customization tools in Streets & Trips, families can plan stops for meals, bathroom breaks, fuel and sightseeing stops. Travelers should bring along car-friendly snacks such as fruit, crackers and cheese sticks. Not only will they have to stop less often, but it also will help save on expenses. To help discourage theft, families should be sure to hide any valuables they need to leave in the car and should always make sure doors are locked and windows are up. Audio books are great, especially for people traveling with children. The stories really help make the time fly. Families should always remember to bring a camera to capture all those memories along the way. Availability Microsoft Streets & Trips is a great value at only $39.95.2 Or, check out Microsoft Streets & Trips with GPS Locator, which includes the No. 1 best-selling3 travel and map software in the United States along with a sleek Global Positioning System (GPS) locator for only $69.99.2 In addition, for a limited time, when you purchase Streets & Trips with GPS Locator you can get a free download of Microsoft Money Plus, a value of more than $50. Or give Streets & Trips a test-drive by downloading a free 60-day trial version athttp://www.microsoft.com/streets. Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. 1 Entertainment Online offer details: Free trial lasts for 14 days. Trial begins when you sign up with Entertainment Online through Streets & Trips. Valid only in the United States, the District of Columbia and Canada with the purchase of Streets & Trips 2009. You must activate your trial membership before June 1, 2011, to use this offer. Free trial offer is notavailable to current Entertainment Online subscribers. Additional restrictions apply; see http://www.entertainment.com/microsoftst/info.html for more information. 2 Estimated retail price. Actual retail price may vary. 3 Source: NPD Group Inc./Retail Tracking Service, January 2000–January 2009. Based on total U.S. retail sales. Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass on Microsoft’s corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.mspx.• • • • • • • • • •
New Microsoft SideWinder X3 Mouse Fits Your Hand and Your Wallet
REDMOND, Wash. April 14, 2009 Microsoft Corp. today announced a new addition to the award-winning family of SideWinder gaming products, the SideWinder X3 Mouse, which combines gaming performance and versatile design at a value price of $39.95 .1 This ambidextrous, eight-button gaming mouse delivers comfort for either hand along with the performance features fans of SideWinder products know and love, including a 2,000 dots-per-inch (dpi) laser-tracking engine with on-the-fly dpi switching between high, medium and low sensitivity. The SideWinder X3 Mouse is easy on the wallet, but it does not skimp on performance, offering gamers a full set of features and launching them ahead of the competition. “Our research shows that in-game comfort continues to be the main consideration for PC gamers,” said Bill Jukes, product marketing manager for Microsoft Hardware. “We designed this mouse to be ambidextrous and small in size, providing comfort to a wider variety of people and making it ideal for gaming as well as everyday use.” Performance Gaming, Perfect Price Like its siblings the SideWinder X5 Mouse and the original SideWinder Mouse, the SideWinder X3 Mouse has five programmable main buttons that are customizable to gamers’ preferences and tested for extreme gaming, with the main button life rated to 10 million clicks. Additional features include these: IntelliPoint software to create and assign macros Wide, detented scroll wheel for more precise click movement Low-profile lateral side buttons for easy access during gaming and everyday computing Wide-glide feet for smooth handling and a light, balanced feel Pricing and Availability The SideWinder X3 Mouse will be widely available in May for an estimated retail price of $39.95 (U.S.). The mouse is available now for pre-sale on Amazon.com and will ship in May when it is released. More information about this and other Microsoft Hardware products can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/hardware. About Microsoft Hardware For more than 25 years, the Hardware Group has employed innovative engineering, cutting-edge industrial design and extensive usability testing to create products of exceptional quality and durability that enhance the software experience and strengthen the connection between consumers and their PC. Microsoft Hardware leads the industry in ergonomic engineering, industrial design and hardware/software compatibility, offering consumers an easier, more convenient and more enjoyable computing experience. In 2008, the Hardware Group debuted the world’s most advanced tracking technology — BlueTrack Technology — allowing consumers to track on more surfaces than optical and laser mice. More information about the Hardware Group is available at http://www.mshardwareguide.com. About Microsoft Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. 1 Actual retail prices may vary. Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass on Microsoft’s corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.mspx.
Top view of the new Microsoft SideWinder X3 Mouse Click for high-res version. 
Front view of the new Microsoft SideWinder X3 Mouse Click for high-res version. • • • •
Media Alert: Microsoft Announces Get Game Smart Ambassador Finalists
In an age of increasing social media and online gaming use, kids and parents alike are entering uncharted territory as they feel out the dos and don’ts of the digital world. Today, Microsoft Corp. is highlighting 15 teams of parents and teens who have taken control of their household media use and shared their approach in Microsoft’s Get Game Smart Video Contest. As a first step in selecting its first Get Game Smart Ambassadors, Microsoft asked parents and teens to team up and create a brief video spotlighting their family’s approach to a responsible digital lifestyle, including rules related to video gaming. Finalists were chosen by a diverse group of judges based on their video’s creativity, concept, information and overall presentation. Now they will compete in a popular vote for prizes and a chance to contribute to a new industry forum for dialogue about video gaming safety with Microsoft, and other influential voices, as Get Game Smart Ambassadors. Viewers can visit http://www.getgamesmart.com now to vote for their favorite video. Who: The 15 finalists displayed their enthusiasm for safe video gaming in all sorts of ways, from a mother-son rap about balancing physical activity and video games to a father-daughter video showing the consequences of choosing to play video games rather than study for an exam. Finalists are as follows: “Twin Army” (Chicago) “Debbie Learns About the Family Timer” (Chicago) “Safety on Xbox LIVE” (Indianapolis) “Friday Afternoon on Xbox” (Indianapolis) “THE LIMITS” (Versailles, Ky.) “Joe and Connor’s Video” (Versailles, Ky.) “Marcus and Michelle Get Game Smart” (Los Angeles) “Plan 2 Play” (Los Angeles) “Cody’s Thoughts” (Seattle) “Video Game Rap” (Seattle) “Will Speak Spanish for Xbox” (Seattle) “Thomas and Jason Get Game Smart” (Brentwood, Tenn.) “Craig and Adam” (Minneapolis) “Martin and Alec” (Minneapolis) “Family Ties” (Vancouver, Wash.) When: Viewers can vote for their favorite team up to once per day between April 16 and May 15 at http://www.getgamesmart.com. Get Game Smart Video Contest Official Rules are available online. Viewers can also visit the site and join the Family Challenge Sweepstakes for a chance to win prizes before April 30. Family Challenge Sweepstakes Official Rules are available online. Stay connected with the latest updates and tips from Get Game Smart: Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass on Microsoft’s corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.mspx.• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
MSN Finds It’s Not Easy Bein’ Green
REDMOND, Wash. — April 20, 2009 — With Earth Day just around the corner, a new MSN Green (http://green.msn.com) survey finds it’s not always so easy being green. The survey found that overwhelmingly, almost 70 percent of the Americans surveyed say that they would never limit toilet flushes to conserve water or use a kitchen compost. As the country prepares to celebrate Earth Day, statistics show America produces enough trash in one day to equal the weight of the Empire State Building.* Although half of respondents say they recycle everything possible, the rest of America needs some convincing, or some help. Nearly half (46 percent) say it will take a simplified system for identifying recyclables and curbside pickup to motivate them to recycle all their waste. However, according to the MSN Green Earth Day Survey, almost 20 percent of people still do not have access to a local recycling service, and others do not know what a carbon footprint is. “Educating one’s self is a quick and easy way for people to play a part in this year’s Earth Day,” said Lisa Tiedt, MSN Green Expert. “MSN Green (http://green.msn.com) is the all-in-one source for news, information and tools that inspire people to enrich their lives and the environment — around the world and around the block.” “To achieve long-term sustainability, Americans are going to have to go above and beyond their traditional green routines of recycling, and work to influence policy that will open up additional recycling options and keep people from littering,” Tiedt said. Luckily, some people are showing their willingness to becoming more eco-friendly. When asked what deed they would do to help reduce their carbon footprint, almost half (49 percent) of respondents said they would either give up air conditioning for a summer or become a vegetarian for a year. However, eco-friendliness has its limits. According to the survey, almost a third of the Americans surveyed say it would take either a tax credit or $1 million for them to recycle or compost all of their waste. Forty percent of respondents believe that most people go green for factors unrelated to the environment. Instead, they believe most do it because of a celebrity role model or because they are a trend follower. So, if all else fails, America can always look to celebrities to lead the green charge — with Leonardo DiCaprio heading the pack among female respondents as the most inspirational eco-celeb and Cameron Diaz among male respondents. From eco-friendly cooking and cleaning tips to the best hybrid cars and gardening tips, MSN Green gives eco-friendly citizens all the information they desire. Consumers can find tips and tricks on how to achieve a more happy, healthy and sustainable lifestyle at http://green.msn.com. About the Survey The survey was conducted online with a random sample of 1,086 men and women, who are 18 or older. All participants are members of the Impulse Research Corp. proprietary online panel. The panel has been carefully selected to closely match U.S. population demographics and the respondents are representative of American men and women. The research was conducted in April 2009. The overall sampling error rate for this survey is +/- 3 percent, at the 95 percent level of confidence. About MSN and Windows Live Overall, MSN, Windows Live and Microsoft.com attract more than 550 million unique users worldwide per month. With localized versions available globally in 42 markets and 21 languages, MSN is a world leader in delivering Web services to consumers and online advertising opportunities to businesses worldwide. MSN partnered with Control Room to stream Live Earth, one of the largest online entertainment events in history, with over 62 million streams worldwide. Most recently, Microsoft and BermanBraun Interactive partnered to create “Wonderwall,” a new innovative entertainment and celebrity content destination from MSN. About Microsoft Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. * WebEcoist, 15 Mind-Boggling Green Facts & Enviro-Stats Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass on Microsoft’s corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.mspx.
MSN Finds It’s Not Easy Bein’ Green
REDMOND, Wash. — April 20, 2009 — With Earth Day just around the corner, a new MSN Green (http://green.msn.com) survey finds it’s not always so easy being green. The survey found that overwhelmingly, almost 70 percent of the Americans surveyed say that they would never limit toilet flushes to conserve water or use a kitchen compost. As the country prepares to celebrate Earth Day, statistics show America produces enough trash in one day to equal the weight of the Empire State Building.* Although half of respondents say they recycle everything possible, the rest of America needs some convincing, or some help. Nearly half (46 percent) say it will take a simplified system for identifying recyclables and curbside pickup to motivate them to recycle all their waste. However, according to the MSN Green Earth Day Survey, almost 20 percent of people still do not have access to a local recycling service, and others do not know what a carbon footprint is. “Educating one’s self is a quick and easy way for people to play a part in this year’s Earth Day,” said Lisa Tiedt, MSN Green Expert. “MSN Green (http://green.msn.com) is the all-in-one source for news, information and tools that inspire people to enrich their lives and the environment — around the world and around the block.” “To achieve long-term sustainability, Americans are going to have to go above and beyond their traditional green routines of recycling, and work to influence policy that will open up additional recycling options and keep people from littering,” Tiedt said. Luckily, some people are showing their willingness to becoming more eco-friendly. When asked what deed they would do to help reduce their carbon footprint, almost half (49 percent) of respondents said they would either give up air conditioning for a summer or become a vegetarian for a year. However, eco-friendliness has its limits. According to the survey, almost a third of the Americans surveyed say it would take either a tax credit or $1 million for them to recycle or compost all of their waste. Forty percent of respondents believe that most people go green for factors unrelated to the environment. Instead, they believe most do it because of a celebrity role model or because they are a trend follower. So, if all else fails, America can always look to celebrities to lead the green charge — with Leonardo DiCaprio heading the pack among female respondents as the most inspirational eco-celeb and Cameron Diaz among male respondents. From eco-friendly cooking and cleaning tips to the best hybrid cars and gardening tips, MSN Green gives eco-friendly citizens all the information they desire. Consumers can find tips and tricks on how to achieve a more happy, healthy and sustainable lifestyle at http://green.msn.com. About the Survey The survey was conducted online with a random sample of 1,086 men and women, who are 18 or older. All participants are members of the Impulse Research Corp. proprietary online panel. The panel has been carefully selected to closely match U.S. population demographics and the respondents are representative of American men and women. The research was conducted in April 2009. The overall sampling error rate for this survey is +/- 3 percent, at the 95 percent level of confidence. About MSN and Windows Live Overall, MSN, Windows Live and Microsoft.com attract more than 550 million unique users worldwide per month. With localized versions available globally in 42 markets and 21 languages, MSN is a world leader in delivering Web services to consumers and online advertising opportunities to businesses worldwide. MSN partnered with Control Room to stream Live Earth, one of the largest online entertainment events in history, with over 62 million streams worldwide. Most recently, Microsoft and BermanBraun Interactive partnered to create “Wonderwall,” a new innovative entertainment and celebrity content destination from MSN. About Microsoft Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. * WebEcoist, 15 Mind-Boggling Green Facts & Enviro-Stats Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass on Microsoft’s corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.mspx.MSN Green survey finds that eco-friendliness has its limits, with nearly 70 percent of people saying that they would never limit toilet flushes to conserve water or use a kitchen compost.
Simple Loop Helps Special Needs Youngsters Use Computer Mice
ROCHESTER, Minn. and REDMOND, Wash, — April 21, 2009 — Mayo Clinic and Microsoft Corp. today announced the launch of Mayo Clinic Health Manager, a privacy- and security-enhanced online application that provides people with a place to store medical information and receive individualized health guidance and recommendations based on the clinical expertise of Mayo Clinic. This interactive functionality extends the capabilities of traditional personal health records, using an individual’s health information to generate customized recommendations on which they can act to better manage their health and the health of their families. People can organize health information for themselves and their loved ones, access the information from a single location, and take a proactive role in managing their health with the individualized guidance. Powered by Microsoft HealthVault, Mayo Clinic Health Manager allows users to store copies of their health records obtained from their providers, health plans, pharmacies, schools, government, or employers; upload information from home health devices like blood glucose monitors and digital scales; and share information with caregivers. The service provides access to products and services to help improve their health. It uses this information to deliver reminders and recommendations specific to each family member’s life stage and health status. As users enter more personal health information, Mayo Clinic Health Manager delivers more specific and customized recommendations. “As a physician, I truly appreciate when my patients are actively engaged and informed about their health. Mayo Clinic Health Manager can help patients share information more easily with their doctors and manage their own health better between office visits,” said Dr. Sidna Tulledge-Scheitel, M.D., MPH, a primary care physician and medical director of Mayo Clinic Global Products and Services. Mayo Clinic Health Manager is easy to use, with features designed for busy parents, adults who are managing the health concerns of aging parents and patients managing chronic conditions and multiple medications. Since the data is stored in Microsoft HealthVault, people can access their information whenever they need it – regardless of whether they change doctors, clinics, jobs or insurance plans. In its initial offering, Mayo Clinic Health Manager will include tools and features that help manage: pediatric wellness, including immunizations, adult wellness, pregnancy and asthma. Additional features will be incorporated in the upcoming months that will help users manage Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Mayo Clinic and Microsoft will work to add new functionality and health guidance. The health guidance was developed, reviewed and approved by a team of healthcare experts at Mayo Clinic, and will be updated regularly to reflect best practices in healthcare. The technology was built on the Microsoft HealthVault platform, a security-enhanced online environment. “Microsoft and Mayo Clinic came together because of our shared vision to help families take better care of their health,” said David Cerino, general manager of the Consumer Health Solutions Group at Microsoft. “With Mayo Clinic Health Manager, we’ve combined the capabilities of Microsoft HealthVault with clinical leadership and health guidance from Mayo Clinic’s vast body of medical knowledge to develop an interactive and customized health solution. It’s a great match of technological innovation and health expertise that will help people live healthier lives.” Consumers can learn more about Mayo Clinic Health Manager and create their accounts at www.mayoclinic.com. About Microsoft HealthVault Microsoft HealthVault is a personal health application platform designed to put consumers in control of their health information. HealthVault provides a security-enhanced foundation on which a broad ecosystem of providers can build innovative health and wellness solutions such as personal health records, disease management, fitness, weight loss and other Web applications. HealthVault can be used to collect and store health information that would otherwise reside in disparate systems and transfer the information between a variety of providers’ health services and systems. It enables the reuse and free flow of interoperable and transportable personal health information. About Microsoft Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. About Mayo Clinic Mayo Clinic is the first and largest integrated, not-for-profit group practice in the world. Doctors from every medical specialty work together to care for patients, joined by common systems and a philosophy of "the needs of the patient come first." More than 3,300 physicians, scientists and researchers and 46,000 allied health staff work at Mayo Clinic, which has sites in Rochester, Minn., Jacksonville, Fla., and Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz. Collectively, the three locations treat more than half a million people each year. Mayo Clinic Health Manager is operated by Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. To obtain the latest news releases from Mayo Clinic, go to www.mayoclinic.org/news. MayoClinic.com (www.mayoclinic.com) is available as a resource for your health stories. For more on Mayo Clinic research, go to www.mayo.edu. For news about Mayo Clinic, please visitwww.mayoclinic.org/news/. Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass on Microsoft’s corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.mspx.Mayo Clinic Health Manager, Powered by Microsoft HealthVault, Helps You and Your Family Become Better Organized, Better Informed
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