The costs of health care have gradually been passed along to the end user; more and more, the information needed to manage our health is within easy reach as well, on the Internet.

The European Union, for instance, last month opened Health-EU Portal, an Internet gateway to reams of data and references on topics from alcohol to toy safety.

While what the site offers is certainly authoritative, don’t be misled by the consumer-friendly labels on the main page, like “My Health” and “My Lifestyle.” For the most part, within these categories you will not find personal health guidance but links to research data, rules and regulations or policy and process information.

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