PREVLINE
Macro’s PREVLINE (for prevention online) Web site (http://ncadi.samhsa.gov) is one of the most heavily visited Federal sites, with some 25 million hits each month. PREVLINE also offers resources and referrals, a newsroom, research and statistics, searchable databases, publications, a conference calendar, e-mail to information specialists who write personalized responses, and related links. A highly graphical and colorful “for kids only” section in both English and Spanish has cyberspace games, advice on how to say no to drugs, links to cool sites, tips on Internet safety, and more.

STD Communications Database
Macro incorporated usability engineering and analysis throughout the development of a sexually transmitted diseases (STD) communications database for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This database (http://www.cdc.gov/std/commdata) contains current knowledge about how best to communicate to key target audiences about STDs and is a resource for local, county, State, and Federal health professionals. Our usability professionals consulted on almost all stages of interface development, performing online assessments and testing in the usability lab throughout the project. By involving the users in the design process, listening to their needs and concerns, and testing the interface early and often, we created an easy-to-use, dynamic database. Usability engineering and analysis have been proven to help keep development on track, on schedule, and in budget throughout the development process.