In a quest to improve the quality of life for families in Cobb County, Dr. Erik Fulfer, chiropractor with Johnson Ferry Chiropractor Center, brings health news home with a click of the mouse.

As a free community service, East Cobb Health Online is a local health and news magazine Web site serving the residents of east Cobb and surrounding areas. Fulfer serves as editor for the magazine.

“The whole idea is to educate and empower the residents of east Cobb,” Fulfer said of the online magazine which was launched in April.

The magazine is part of a national California-based publication. Fulfer purchased the rights for Cobb residents to view it and became the editor of the local version. The Web site features more than 300 recently published articles to be viewed originating from sources covering mainstream to alternative healthcare issues.

According to Fulfer, 53 percent of Americans are accessing the Internet now; 35 percent of those are accessing it for health information.

“As a chiropractor, one key goal has always been to build long-lasting and trusting relationships with the community I serve,” Fulfer posted in an on-line statement about the Web site. “As a free community, I am able to accomplish these goals by e-mailing health information that is current, accurate, useful and easily understood.”

The site features 30 health departments including dermatology, podiatry and men’s health. It also offers “Health Bytes” with articles on matters such as “Cell phones not connected to head tumors” to “Pool water may be risky during pregnancy.”

The Web site also has a “Survey Says” section that allows users to comment on questions like “How long are you kept waiting when visiting healthcare professionals?” (the majority said 30 minutes) and “What do you enjoy most about our e-magazine?” (the majority said the feature articles from the doctor’s office.)

So far, the Web site has gotten thousands of hits per month, and Fulfer hopes that will rise to 10,000 to 20,000 hits by the end of the year. Fulfer also hopes to have each department set up with a local adviser who can supply articles on each specialty and can give local information to residents of Cobb.

Fulfer said he has received an overwhelmingly positive response to the health magazine.

Francis G. wrote: “At my age, 82, I have become more acutely aware of differentiating between daily aches and more serious symptoms. Thank you for your timely advice and suggestions for better health.”

Other e-mailers have told Fulfer how much they have enjoyed the newsletter because it displays good, solid and meaningful health education.

“East Cobb residents can go to www.eastcobbhealth.org and get a plethora of information,” said Fulfer, who lives in the Virginia Highlands area with wife Michelle. He is a graduate of Atlanta Chiropractic School and has been in practice for two years.

For more information, e-mail info@eastcobbhealth.org or access the site at www.eastcobbhealth.org.

ayeaman@mdjonline.com