The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals recently added new features to www.healthfinderla.gov, a comprehensive online resource that allows users to compare cost and quality of services offered by hospitals, nursing homes, and public and private health care plans. The site now includes information to compare dialysis facilities and home health care options and a physician locator that helps you find physicians, specialists, and other health care providers in your local area. Visit the site.

The Greater New Orleans area has been selected as one of 15 communities across the country to address racial health disparities and improve control of diabetes and smoking cessation rates by empowering patients through increased access to their own electronic Personal Health Records. As part of the Federal Recovery Act, The Louisiana Public Health Institute has been awarded nearly $14 million through the Beacon Community Program to link technically isolated health systems, providers and hospitals - so that medical records can be shared across health systems. This grant will not only help achieve improvements in health care quality, safety and efficiency, but it will also allow for patient information sharing among private hospitals, community clinics and school-based health centers. Read the press release for more detail.

As part of the national Let’s Move campaign, First Lady Michelle Obama has announced the Apps for Healthy Kids Challenge, a contest for professional and amateur web developers to submit ideas for online games and mobile apps that promote healthy lifestyles for kids. Learn more about the challenge and submit an application at www.AppsforHealthyKids.com

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals recently launched http://www.healthfinderla.gov, a comprehensive online resource that allows users to compare cost and quality of services offered by hospitals, nursing homes, and public and private health care plans. The site also helps you compare retail prices for the 100 most commonly prescribed drugs. Visit the site.

Google recently partnered with with the U.S. Department for Health and Human Services to map locations across the country that offer both the seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccines. The service is still new and may only offer limited locations at present. A quick New Orleans zip code search resulted in 11 drug store/grocery store locations (8 that offer seasonal and 3 that offer H1N1). Visit the Google Flu Shot Finder page and enter your zip code to find locations near you. *Update: The target group of those advised to get the vaccine has been expanded to include people aged 25 to 64 who are at a “higher risk for flu complications because of chronic health disorders” like diabetes and weakened immune systems. Pregnant women, health-care workers, those from age 6 months to 24 years old, and those who care for infants younger than 6 months still remain in the target group. Flu vaccines will be available at Louisiana public health clinics free of charge starting Thursday, November 12.  To search by parish for Louisiana health care providers now offering flu vaccines, visit this link. Individuals who desire to get a free flu shot from a public health clinic or private provider should call for an appointment and provide their ages and their health conditions before showing up. Visit www.FightTheFluLA.com for more information. Image: jasonEscapist

Tired of smelling like a dirty ashtray after going out for a live show, drink or round of black jack? If so, your cell phone may be able to help. Web-enabled cell phone users can now show their support for smoke-free bars, music venues and casinos in Louisiana thanks to a new mobile version of the www.LetsBeTotallyClear.org advocacy site. The new mobile site, http://m.letsbetotallyclear.org, allows users to submit their own photos and opinions about secondhand smoke and read comments submitted by hundreds of other Louisianians who support stronger smoke-free air laws and policies. Visitors to the mobile site can also get the facts about secondhand smoke exposure and find smoke-free shows and venues statewide.

If you’ve ever thought about using a pedometer during the day, either at home or at work, you’ve got to see this. The new “Fitbit” pedometer doesn’t just track your steps; it calculates the intensity level of your movement, the distance you traveled and the calories you burned. It can even track your sleep patterns, and it’s all done in 3D. Read more and find out how to pre-order your own Fitbit.

Want up to the minute information about the H1N1 flu or other health topics? The national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently launched a three-month pilot text program where you can sign up to receive the latest information about flu, public health emergencies and more via text messaging. Click here to find out how to sign up and be a part of their pilot text program.

It’s clear that cell phones are not just for making calls and sending texts anymore, but did you know they can actually help you get healthy? iPhone users can now download specific applications that can make getting healthy a whole lot easier. Check out this blogger’s post that names 50 iPhone applications that can improve your body and mental sharpness, help you quit smoking and keep you motivated.