Technology Briefs
Web-Based Health Calculators
Steve M. Dorman
500 • Journal of School Health • December 2001, Vol. 71, No. 10
While health professionals have used "pencil and paper" versions of health calculators for some time, the Internet provides a great environment for expanding on this compelling concept. Web-based calculators and tools can provide a fun way to pique interest in a health topic or personalize a general health discussion. Generally, these tools allow users to input personal health data such as height, weight, and gender. Afterward, the calculator responds with risk data or health calculations based on the user's input.
A variety of health calculators can be found on the Web. Some user-friendly calculators feature animations and graphics, while others lack surface appeal. Some calculators are directed toward health professionals and answer specific clinical questions pertaining to health, while others intended for the lay consumer would be appropriate for general personal health consumption.
Web-based health calculators may make excellent tools to enhance health instruction. Users can personalize learning by entering their own personal health data into these calculators. In addition, health calculators allow users to experiment by inputting different values to vary the results. School health professionals may wish to direct students to the following sites as part of, or as a supplement to, their health instruction activities.
BabyCenter
The BabyCenter has a variety of tools and calculators focusing mainly on pregnancy and the first year of life. The site contains a Pregnancy 101 quiz, an ideal pregnancy weight gain calculator, an ovulation calculator, and a preconception readiness quiz. The site also contains a baby calendar, a baby book, a developmental IQ quiz, a breastfeeding problem solver, and a baby growth percentile calculator for use after the baby arrives.
Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool
National Cancer Institute (NCI) developed this Web tool that allows a health professional to project a woman's individualized estimate of risk for invasive breast cancer. This tool, based on data from the Breast Cancer Detection and Demonstration Project, should be considered only part of the complex discussion regarding a woman's options in reducing her risk of breast cancer.
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Steve M. Dorman, PhD, MPH, FASHA, Assistant Editor for Technology, Journal of School Health, and Professor and Chairman, Division of Health and Safety, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4243; ().
BestHealth ,
This site, maintained by the WakeForestUniversityMedicalCenter, contains diet and nutrition calculators such as a diabetes type 2 risk calculator and a cholesterol reduction calculator.
Calcium Calculator
The Calcium Calculator, sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline, allows users to estimate current daily calcium intake and learn about sources of calcium to achieve the recommended daily intake.
HealthAtoZ.com
Healthatoz.com sponsors a variety of calculators in a section called "cool tools." Most of the calculators pertain to weight control. They are easy to use and visually appealing.
Health Calculator
This health calculator allows users to enter health status information once, then receive a variety of calculations such as BMI, healthy weight, target heart rate, activity needs, daily caloric requirement, and daily requirements for fat, calcium, iron, protein, and carbohydrates.
Healthy Eating
This calculator, sponsored by the BBC and compiled with assistance from the British Nutrition Foundation, allows users to enter daily consumption of fruit, meat, dessert, bread, and alcohol. The calculator generates a report for the user regarding suggested diet modifications.
Intelihealth
Intelihealth, a consumer health information site sponsored by the HarvardMedicalSchool, offers calculators that allow self-checks for depression, general health symptoms, and risk for heart disease.
Marathon Guide
This site features running, fitness, and nutrition calculators including a pace chart, a pace result predictor, caloric needs calculator, and an advanced heart rate calculator.
Martindale's The Reference Desk
This site contains an extensive compilation of links to a number of health calculators. Some of the links seem more appropriate for health professionals, while others are aimed at general users.
Medical Tools, Calculators, and Scores
This site contains medical tools, calculators, and scores used chiefly by professionals rather than lay persons. The site contains calculators that address clinical questions such as formula calculators, nephrology calculators, a GI bleed complication risk index, drug dosage generators, trauma indices, a rash diagnosis algorithm, and a burn index.
myprimetime
Developed by My Prime Time productions, this site features a virtual workout, a burnout quiz, a calorie-burning calculator, a happiness index, and a fitness personality inventory.
Sportscover Injury Calculator
This inventory allows users to calculate the odds of becoming injured playing a specific sport.
WebMD
This site coordinated by WebMD contains interactive tools and calculators such as a BMI calculator, calorie counter, dessert wizard, height predictor, ovulation calculator, due date generator, and target heart rate calculator.
Statement of Purpose
TheJournal of School Health, an official publication of the AmericanSchool Health Association, publishes material related to health promotion in school settings. Journal readership includes administrators, educators, nurses, physicians, dentists, dental hygienists, psychologists, counselors, social workers, nutritionists, dietitians, and other health professionals. These individuals work cooperatively with parents and the community to achieve the common goal of providing children and adolescents with the programs, services, and environment necessary to promote health and improve learning.
Contributed manuscripts are considered for publication in the following categories: Articles, Research Papers, Commentaries, Teaching Techniques, and Health Service Applications. Primary consideration is given to manuscripts related to the health of children, adolescents, and employees in public and private preschools, child day care centers, kindergartens, elementary schools, middle level schools, and senior high schools. Manuscripts related to college-age young adults are considered if the topic has implications for preschool through high school health programs. Relevant international manuscripts are also considered.
Prior to submitting a manuscript, prospective authors should review the most recent "Guidelines for Authors," printed periodically in the Journal. Copies may also be obtained from the Journal office, P.O. Box 708, Kent, OH44240, or electronically from .
Journal of School Health • December 2001, Vol. 71, No. 10 • 501