As the initial primaries wind down in Iowa and New Hampshire, you may be wondering which of the 2008 presidential candidates will best address health care issues in the United States.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), current data indicate that obesity rates in the U.S. are worsening rather than improving. The Census Bureau estimated that 47 million Americans had no health insurance in 2006. Health care costs, including Medicare, have risen to levels that are causing many employers and individuals to opt out of health insurance. Each candidate has a plan for remedying these problems. If health is one of your priorities in this next election, how can you learn more about each candidate’s position on health care to make an educated decision this November?

The Washington Post's Website has a feature which allows you to learn about the leading presidential candidates. In addition to the candidate’s bio, experience, top priorities, and position on health care, you can review their statements on issues such as social security, Iraq, budget, education, poverty, gun control, and stem cell research. You can also take a quiz to find out which candidate(s) most closely match your views.

The Kaiser Family Foundation, with the assistance of Health Policy Alternatives, Inc., prepared the Health08.org Website. This side-by-side comparison of the candidates' positions on health care is based on information appearing on the candidates' websites as supplemented by information from candidate speeches, news reports, and campaign debates. They provide a feature which allows you to create a custom side-by-side summary of up to four candidates.

Another great resource for campaign and candidate information is CNN. On CNN's Website, you can read up-to-the minute updates on political news, as well as register to receive email updates that go straight to your personal email address.