Center for Human Genetics

Because some diseases run in families, collecting your family health history is an important first step in taking charge of your own health. Click here for a copy of our new brochure entitled "Does It Run in Your Family?" or use the guide below to help you get started:

First Degree Relatives:

• Name of each person and their relationship to you
  
• Gender
• Date of birth
  
• Age at death and cause of death, if person is no longer living
• Type of disease, if any, for each person
  
• Age when symptoms first appeared or when disease was diagnosed 
• Ethnic background – countries your family came from / ancestry
• Lifestyle issues - Health habits & environmental or occupational exposures, such as

• Hormone replacement therapy
• Smoking, drinking alcohol, or drug use
• Living or working near a chemical or other type of plant
• Diet, exercise, and weight control

You should try to collect this information for all of your family members listed above. You may also want to gather medical records on family members who have passed away. Knowing the exact diagnosis can help predict your risk for a certain disease.

Why collect a family health history?

Your family health history may point to diseases that run in your family.

Once you know which diseases run in your family, you can talk to your doctor about ways to reduce your risk.

You can also talk to other family members about their risk.

A complete family health history takes time and effort to produce, but it will be an extremely valuable resource for generations to come!

 Sharing your family health history with your health care provider can help you learn if you are at risk for certain diseases.