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Family Health History Day

With so many conditions and diseases having a strong hereditary component, family health history is one of the most important pieces of medical information you can have. The Surgeon General has launched the Family Health History Initiative through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, encouraging families to share their health information and collect information from family members for a more informed future.

Family health history helps with:

  • Assessing and potentially reducing the risk of birth defects or genetic disorders during pregnancy.
  • Detecting genetic disorders in children.
  • Conducting screening tests earlier for young/middle-aged adults with chronic or hereditary diseases in their family history.

Diseases and conditions with a strong hereditary factor:

  • Cancer – including Breast, Ovarian, Colorectal
  • Heart Disease
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Diabetes
  • Osteoporosis
  • Hemophilia
  • Sickle Cell Anemia
  • Cystic Fibrosis

Family Health History Day

Held on Thanksgiving Day each year, Family Health History Day is the perfect time to gather health and medical information from parents, grandparents, and other blood relatives. Even though it’s not the most uplifting conversation, it’s a necessary one and could help a family member be proactive with their healthcare.

My Family Health Portrait

The Surgeon General has created My Family Health Portrait, an online tool to help families document and share their family health history, as well as update with new diseases and conditions. It’s also a great way to learn about your risk of certain diseases and conditions and share information with your regular physician(s) and your Capital Women’s Care provider.