Google and Microsoft are set to go head to head in the lucrative consumer healthcare market.

In October, Microsoft launched HealthVault, a website that allows users to gather, store and share health information online, whilst Google has been talking about similar offerings.

Both companies are keen to get a foothold in health products as more and more people are using the web as a source for health information and advice.

According to a poll by research firm Harris, 71% of US adults use the web to search for health-related information.

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