Family members may share more than similar looks.
Common health conditions such as heart disease, cancer, arthritis, dementia, asthma, and diabetes, as well as rare diseases such as hemophilia, cystic fibrosis, and sickle cell anemia can run in families. Family Health History Day, observed each year on Thanksgiving Day, serves as a reminder to talk with your loved ones about check-ups, including preventive screenings, and your family’s history of health conditions.
While a discussion with your family members about health problems and diseases may seem awkward at first, having and sharing this important information with your healthcare provider can help you take steps to protect your health. People who have a family history of certain diseases may have the most to gain from lifestyle changes and screening tests.
Consider starting one-on-one conversation with family members by sharing why you hope to gather the information. Let them know that everyone can benefit from more complete health histories. Young people may not realize the importance of hereditary factors that could cause trouble down the road. Older relatives may know more about family health conditions, especially in those relatives who are no longer living. For persons who are adopted, family health history information may have been shared during the adoption process.
What steps could help you talk with relatives about your family's health history?
