BeWell.com is a “new social network founded by America’s top doctors,” including NBC News Chief Medical Editor Dr. Nancy Synderman and others. The site is organized around “communities” that address issues involving important health concerns, including breast cancer, reproductive health, aging, etc. BeWell is owned by “by LLuminari, Inc, an innovative health media company…” LLuminari says on its website that “Our programs are made possible by leading companies who support providing consumers and employees access to the knowledge of the best and brightest experts. Our sponsors have included:
Johnson & Johnson GlaxoSmithKline General Mills PepsiCo Stonyfield Farm Newman’s Own Smith Barney Eileen Fisher PacifiCare Health System United Healthcare Genomic Health PriceWaterhouseCoopers
BeWell’s privacy policy doesn’t really explain how the data it collects might be used for its advertising. The site provides important information for its users. But we need to see more disclosure on the site about exactly the role its “sponsors” play, such as with its “Pfizer Support Center,” “Health Tools” featuring “Oncotype Dx” (Genomic Health) and the “Healthy Sight Resource Center” sponsored by Transitions. As an NBC journalist, Dr. Synderman should also disclose when doing her reporting the connections with the advertisers and sponsors of BeWell and LLuminari. Online health sites, especially given their public interest purpose, should be transparent about their relationships with drug companies and other health marketing sponsors.
