ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 26, 1995-- In a move to further accelerate Mosby's fast-growing consumer health and wellness information business, the company Thursday announced that it has acquired Madison Publishing Corp., located in Boston, and StayWell Health Management Systems, located in St. Paul, Minn.

Mosby, a subsidiary of The Times Mirror Co., is a leading publisher of health care information.

These acquisitions are part of Mosby's strategy of becoming an integrated, single-source provider of consumer health and wellness services and information through its Mosby Lifeline division. These products will be sold primarily to risk-assuming providers, such as managed-care organizations, insurance carriers, pharmaceutical companies and employers rather than directly to consumers.

In June, the company announced the formation of Mosby Lifeline as a separate operating unit to pursue opportunities in the areas of consumer health and wellness.

``These two acquisitions are a logical extension of our consumer health care product line produced by Great Performance, a Mosby subsidiary in Portland, Ore., as well as the health and safety products we produce for the American Red Cross,'' said Virgil Mette, president, Mosby Lifeline.

``These acquisitions are an avenue to the health care consumer who is less familiar with our world-renowned professional products and will help to round out our comprehensive and integrated product and service offerings to the health care consumer via managed-care organizations, corporations, and health care providers,'' Mette said.

Madison develops communications programs promoting healthy lifestyles and the wise use of health care services for clients in the managed-care industry. Its programs reach more than 15 million managed-care enrollees and their dependents. StayWell provides health risk assessment and wellness and employee assistance programs to corporations that encourage employees and their families to pursue healthy lifestyle changes.

``This growing need to educate individuals is a win-win proposition for all involved and affected. Managed-care organizations stand to gain direct savings from educating their members, because educated consumers are generally healthier and use health care resources more wisely. Additionally, as competition increases, physicians and other health care providers need to distinguish themselves and minimize their cost of providing care.

``They can do so by delivering health education programs to their patients. The biggest winner, of course, is the individual who uses the information to attain a healthier lifestyle,'' said Dave Culverwell, senior vice president, Mosby Lifeline.

Madison employs 60 persons and will maintain its name and offices in Boston. Terence P. Driscoll, president, and Kevin Barry, publisher, will continue to lead the company, which will become a subsidiary of Mosby. StayWell employs 100 persons and will maintain its name and offices in St. Paul. G.L. ``Bud'' Anderson, president, will continue to manage the company. These executives will report to Culverwell.

Mosby publishes books, journals, videos, CD-ROM software, annuals, newsletters, brochures, posters, and continuing education and training programs for students, practitioners and consumers in medicine, dentistry, nursing, allied health, college sciences, wellness and emergency medical services.

CONTACT: Mosby Year Book