Although Thanksgiving Day was Family Health History Day, any day is a good day to learn more about your family health history. A recent survey found that 96 percent of Americans believe that knowing their family history is important. Yet, the same survey found that only 33 percent of Americans has tried to gather and write down their family's health history.
The winter holidays present another opportunity to gather information and start a discussion surrounding family health history. Here are some tools to get you started:
- Before You Start: Tips for how to create a family health history, both in English and Spanish
- My Family Health Portrait: This confidential tool gathers your family health information and creates a family health tree that you can download and print. Then share your family health history with family members or give it to your health care practitioner. For helpful information, visit the FAQ.
Why is knowing your family's health history useful?
According to the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM), "knowing your family’s health history paints a picture of your family's health problems from one generation to the next. This knowledge is a powerful tool for early detection or prevention of diseases you may be at risk for. Share your family health history with your doctor. Your doctor can recommend vital screening and also help you create a plan to reduce your risk of disease" (2018).
Read all about it!
In addition to charting your family's history, you may want to read about the health history of others. The following books demonstrate the importance of knowing the family health history, while entertaining you along the way:
- The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
- She Has Her Mother's Laugh by Carl Zimmer
- It's All Relative by AJ Jacobs
Be sure to check out the Health Information Resources on gathering family health history from NNLM.