February 19, 2013, Chapel Hill, NC—IntraHealth International (www.intrahealth.org)  announces the SwitchPoint Reader, a human-curated web-based feed reader designed to help innovators, humanitarians and others find inspiring people, organizations and ideas from across the social web. Created with a responsive design, the SwitchPoint Reader works on any device—desktop, laptop, tablet or phone. It’s free and can be accessed at www.switchpointideas.com.

“The SwitchPoint Reader is a focused digital magazine for humanitarian-minded entrepreneurs,” explains Michael Tiemann, vice president, open source affairs, at Red Hat (www.redhat.com). “It’s a fast track to potential partners, organizations and ideas that have numerous applications across diverse disciplines, packed in an easy-on-the-eyes and un-intimidating UX; a share-engine for good ideas.”

The Reader’s human-curated content meets a critical need for innovators and humanitarians coping with information overload. As Steven Rosenbaum, CEO of Magnify.com, wrote for the Columbia Journalism Review (www.cjr.org/the_kicker/leave_curation_alone.php), there’s strong demand for “human-filtered, journalist-vetted, intellectually-related material.”

The SwitchPoint Reader tracks consistently excellent, inspiring and forward thinking individuals and organizations making real impact. These sources are put into streams or “buckets”, including: Humanitarian Tech, Artivism and Global Health. The Reader also allows users to create their own #SwitchPoints by combining favorite concepts and sharing with the wider SwitchPoint community.

"Get ready for an eye-opening experience from thought leaders around the globe doing amazing things to solve the world's toughest and simplest problems by connecting people and technology,” notes Jessica Colaco, research director, iHub (www.ihub.co.ke/pages/about.php), and co-founder of WMIAfrica (www.WMIAfrica.org). “That’s the switchpoint right there!"

The Reader is an outgrowth of IntraHealth’s SwitchPoint Conference. The annual gathering connects global thinkers and doers from multiple disciplines to collaborate on solutions to the critical issues and pressing global health problems of our time. The second event will be held April 19 and 20, 2013, in Saxapahaw, N.C. More than 30 leaders and innovators and 400 attendees from 15 countries will participate in panel discussions, multimedia presentations and hands-on micro-labs. They’ll also enjoy a concert with Paul Miller (aka DJ Spooky). More information is at http://event.switchpointideas.com/

A FAQ on the reader is available at www.intrahealth.org/page/switchpoint-reader.

IntraHealth International is a global health nonprofit that champions the critical role of health workers in health and development. For over 30 years, IntraHealth has empowered health workers to better serve communities in need, fostering local solutions to health care challenges by improving health worker performance, strengthening health systems, harnessing technology, and leveraging partnerships. The nonprofit’s work is supported and funded by the US Agency for International Development, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, private foundations, corporations and individuals.

General inquiries: Margot Carmichael Lester
The Word Factory for IntraHealth
+1 919-967-3712

Details on the SwitchPoint Reader and Conference: Heather LaGarde
IntraHealth International
+1 919-259-9765

Details on the SwitchPoint Reader back-end and UX: Dave Mello