The eHealth Initiative (eHI) is taking over the Information Therapy Action (IxAction) Alliance, a group that focuses on patient-centered care and health information technology.

The merger will help eHI emphasize the use of health information technology to promote a healthy lifestyle, according to Jennifer Covich Bordenick, the organization's chief operating officer.

"In turn, eHI will leverage its broad-based membership spanning every sector of the healthcare community and its leadership in using health information technology to drive improvements in healthcare as a means to expand the reach and impact of the IxAction Alliance," she said.

The IxAction Alliance, founded by Joshua Seidman, had been operated by the Center for Information Therapy (IxCenter). Seidman, president of the IxCenter, is joining the Office of the National Coordinator of Health Information Technology to promote consumer engagement and the meaningful use of electronic health records.

According to a statement issued by eHI, information therapy (Ix) is the timely prescription and availability of evidence-based health information to meet individuals' specific needs and support sound decision making.

"Much like prescriptions for medication, Ix prescriptions are specifically targeted to an individual's needs at a particular moment in care and are delivered as part of the process of care," Bordenick said.

The IxAction Alliance will be run within eHI as a separate program, maintaining its identity and its Web sites, according to Bordenick. eHI will leverage its own resources, membership and reputation in seeking out ways to grow the IxAction Alliance and advance its mission.

eHI will be seeking opportunities for interaction between eHI members and IxAction Alliance supporters, including opportunities for organizations to concurrently participate in eHI and Alliance work, she added.