This report focuses on the following questions: 1. Are web-based information services important to ensure patients’ rights to information and public involvement in the health services? 2. What types of information services are available? 3. How are information services used? 4. How are governmental web-based information services organised? Advantages and disadvantages of different models 5. What are the benefits of information services? For this report we searched systematically for systematic reviews, and trials from the Nordic countries and the UK. References to relevant Norwegian health legislation are provided in the first section. Descriptions of how health information web portals are organised are given for the Nordic countries and the UK, based on a previous study. There is lack of research on why health care users utilise web based health information services, but research shows that they want these services. Accessibility problems are reported, and governmental websites are usually the most accessible. The quality of web-based health information services may vary, especially for information provided through online support groups. When health information web portals are introduced, procedures for evaluation should be an integrated part of the portal from the beginning. There is little or no evidence of the effect of web-based health information services on people’s knowledge, attitudes, satisfaction, health outcomes, resource utilization and costs. The four systematic reviews that we identified, reported a broad range of outcomes, and their results are, in general, inconclusive. In the light of the growing amount of health information services on the web and the increasing number of people who use the Internet, there is a need for research to assess the effects of the information services.