[Internet and public health]

The Internet has become the most dynamic and stimulating place where biomedical information can be found and retrieved since the advent of computerized databases two decades ago. Public health organisations have a responsibility to inform and the Internet offers an excellent opportunity to complete the cycle of health information systems and research, making this information more accessible both to public health and other biomedical and health-related professionals as well as to the public. This paper presents a summary of the main resources in public health available in the Internet: e-mail discussion lists, access to relevant journals, connection to registries and epidemiologic databases on morbidity and mortality, as well as access to universities, academic institutions and research centers.