Last November we reported on the launch of DailyStrength, a social network and support group for what ails you. Now another site, OurHealthCircle, with an upbeat name for a downtrodden audience is launching to make talking about tough issues a little easier.
The site is pretty much the same as DailyStrength with a different back story. Users create anonymous or personalized profiles, join over 750 groups around health problems, and start talking. The inspiration for the site came to three UC Berkeley students from the Center for Entrepreneurship & Technology and is backed by Arbor Labs.
The site is currently only open as a preview, with invitations being handed out on a case by case basis. The beta version will be launched the week Michael Moore’s new movie Sicko is released, presumably to ride the wave of attention the movie will bring on the health care system.
The site is part of trend of special needs niche sites, like Prescription4Love.
I like OurHealthCircle. I’ve surfed around and found that there are many insights that you wouldn’t find on similar sites. I think it’s nice that this is a place for people not only experiencing the health problem first hand, but for those in support roles as well.
Great site. I def see a big future here. It is really well designed.
OurHealthCircle is great! It’s nice to have one website for both facts about health issues and discussions with other people with similar problems. I cruise OurHealthCircle more than facebook and myspace combined.
I’ve been in on the beta of OurHealthCircle, and it is truly a great site. The privacy controls combine with unique group discussions make it the perfect venue for an online support group.
Nick, I agree that it does seem like a rehash of existing sites but it seems that by letting users create their own private discussions, they’re trying to foster a tighter knit community which may or may not work out.
It must have been naivete to think technologists had genuine, open, intelligent minds, but whoever concocted the title of this little gem needs an awakening. Simply because a person would participate in a site like OurHealthCircle does not mean they are miserable.
- This site does look good – / worthy of TC review
I feel like this review doesn’t really do OurHealthCircle justice. I’m an avid OurHealthCircle user and it’s unlike any other support or discussion board I’ve encountered. There is a big push in the tech industry for great community tools that work and that are innovative. I feel that OurHealthCircle has truly stepped beyond the other health sites out there.
through a friend who is a prof at that very same center at berk, i was invited into the beta very early on…the idea is really quite nice, and it fits perfectly into the realm of niche social networking sites…utility is all there, and it’s not just about getting lean and fit like dailystrength…my only real concerns are a) it’s not really for me, haven’t been since the first week because b) there are tremendous concerns with information reliability and credibility on sites like these….asking strangers for advice and support is a nice idea (hey, isn’t that how most 12 step programs work?) – but putting it online begs for tremendous posturing and dispensaries for false expertise…ultimately, people who really ‘need help’ should seek the counsel of professionals and perhaps may look to sites like this to validate or explore concerns and ideas….
too many more of these sites and we’re gonna have a country full of medical student syndrome!
I found OurHealthCircle to be like a breath of fresh air compared to the trite social networking concept that’s been done by countless sites. OurHealthCircle is really designed to create a community support system with health in mind. Joining a “Health Circle” is just like joining a support group. It’s more than just information about the concerns (I could get that at Wikipedia or anywhere else) but it’s from the patient’s perspective. Truly a great site.
Dave,
I very much appreciate your feedback regarding expert vs. layman advice. The goal of OurHealthCircle is to connect people who want a real-person’s perspective, wish to talk about their health issues, and relate personal experiences. We see OurHealthCircle as a supplement to professional counseling because you’re right – sometimes people need to seek care from a therapist or other healthcare provider.
Talking about your health concerns with others who are going through the same thing can be very healing. Often, patients can provide insights about how to cope with recurring health concerns that a doctor may not. Indeed, medical research shows that those with solid support networks are able to live longer and heal faster. We have structured our site to assist in building
close-knit communities while encouraging connection and support among an ongoing circle of people.
-Heston
If you interested in sites on health and fitness driven by user participation, please check out http://www.cravehealthy.com
We are currently in beta release and are focused on helping people find relevant information for choosing a healthy lifestyle. In other words, we care about both preventive medicine and finding treatments.
how come nobody mentions MDJunction.com when talking about health related support groups????
i’ve been a member of their support groups for a few months already. its a great place for people to give and get help with health issues.