CR's new health-information site.(Consumer Reports website info)

"Knowledge is of two kinds. We know a subject ourselves, or we know where we can find information upon it."--Samuel Johnson, 1775

I know something about back pain, and I know where I can find plenty more information. But much of it will be wrong. The Internet has enabled anyone with an opinion to hang out a shingle, even on subjects such as health, where bad advice can cause serious harm. Yet some 95 million Americans turn to the Internet for information and advice about critical health matters.

They're looking for solid information about a condition or disease. They want to know what it is, how they got it, what they should do now. They may want to understand enough to ask informed questions of their doctors about treatment options and to recognize the difference between health facts and drug-company hype.

With all that in mind, and with a history of presenting thoroughly researched health topics in clear, accurate language, CONSUMER REPORTS has launched the Consumer Reports Medical Guide Web site. We've teamed up with two prestigious organizations of pharmacists and international physicians--organizations that, like CONSUMER REPORTS, are unbiased, independent, and focused on the interests of consumers.

For more than 60 common and serious medical conditions, the guide includes a list of available treatments. ...