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A new report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) suggests that consumer health IT applications can help improve outcomes for a variety of diseases and health conditions, Government Health IT reports. To determine the efficacy of several consumer health informatics (CHI) programs, Johns Hopkins University researchers conducted a meta-analysis of existing literature and studies, defining CHIs as any electronic tool, technology or application that is designed to interact directly with consumers, with or without the presence of a health care professional, to provide individualized personal information or assistance to help patients better manage their health or health care. The researchers analyzed interactive Web sites, computer-generated tailored feedback applications, personal monitoring devices, laptops, personal digital assistants and cell phones. According to the sources, "select [CHI] applications may effectively engage consumers, enhance traditional clinical interventions, and improve both intermediate and clinical health outcomes." Specifically, CHIs most strongly influenced clinical outcomes for management of mental health symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress. In addition, CHIs also contributed to improved self management of behavior related to health conditions, particularly in terms of aiding in smoking cessation efforts (Mosquera, Government Health IT, 10/23/09; AHRQ report, 10/22/09).