AAFP Leaders Ask Consumers to 'Say Ahh' in Launch of New Television Network

A new high-definition and digital broadcast, online and wireless network is providing consumers with expert health care content that features AAFP President Ted Epperly, M.D., of Boise, Idaho, and President-elect Lori Heim, M.D., of Vass, N.C.

The Live Well HD Network is a venture of ABC-owned and -operated television stations. The network debuted on April 27 in 10 broadcast markets: New York; Los Angles; Chicago; Philadelphia; San Francisco; Houston; Raleigh-Durham, N.C.; Fresno, Calif; Flint, Mich.; and Toledo, Ohio. ABC estimates that the programming will reach about 24 percent of U.S. homes with televisions in this initial launch.

Included in the programming lineup is a health care segment called "Say Ahh" that provides expert health and medical news and that is based on content provided on FamilyDoctor.org, the AAFP's award-winning consumer health care Web site. The "Say Ahh" series of programs is produced in conjunction with multiplatform video distributor AnswersMedia Inc., which collaborates with the AAFP in providing content for FamilyDoctor.org.

Epperly and Heim serve as hosts for some segments of the "Say Ahh" 30-minute broadcasts, and each program ends with a message from one of the two Academy leaders directing patients with questions to FamilyDoctor.org for more information.

Programs in the "Say Ahh" section of the Live Well network currently cover topics such as asthma, skin conditions, stroke and allergies. Each of the programs rotates in the television programming schedule so viewers in the markets where it is available have multiple opportunities to see each program.

In addition, each of the programs is available on the Live Well HD Web site, along with programs on making healthy meals, home makeovers, beauty and fashion, exercise, and self-help.