The interest in e-health, created by the convergence of healthcare and the Internet, is growing. The Internet and health-related web sites are transforming health care. It is increasing access of consumers and physicians to health information including products and services. E-health is enhancing the communication between consumers, professionals and providers. Consumers increasingly seek medical information on the Internet and are using the Web to take a more active role in managing their health.

For continence promotion the internet facilities, Continet, Continence Worldwide and all the National Continence Organisation's sites are evolving as new tools for improved communication. Continence promotion programmes about what incontinence is, what can be done about it, and where to get help, and most importantly to de-stigmatise this condition are available. The Web can be used for public awareness activities, professional education programmes and continence prevention strategies.

The traffic to Continence Worldwide is increasing. At present the Web site has well over 15,000 user sessions per year and the number of hits is over 150.000. Continence Worldwide has been submitted to a great number of search engines and many links have been established from health related sites. We have created links from our listing of continence organisations to each national organisation's site as it becomes available. In the year 2000 more than 20 national organisations have own sites. Our intention is not to duplicate the excellent information available at those sites, but just to make them as widely accessible as possible. Continence Worldwide is important in making ICS members aware of the activities of all the continence organisations around the world. It is increasing the transfer of skills. It seems that an international network of information is well under way. At the Networking Forum, at ICS 2000, the use of Internet and the web facilities will be discussed. Hopefully the discussion will trigger new ideas on how the Internet can be used.

During the year Continence Worldwide has received a lot of mail regarding different issues; new established continence organisations, updates of details of existing organisations, questions regarding the First WHO Consultation on Incontinence and the Networking Forum coming up in Tampere at ICS 2000. If you have any questions or ideas about how our site can be improved feel free to contact us.