Thanksgiving is an important family holiday that is shared by people from many diverse cultures and religious beliefs. People come from near and far to share a meal and spend time watching or playing sports. It is a time to see family you have not seen in while to catch up on how everyone is doing.
It is an important time to share information and gather health histories while everyone is in the same place.
“An important first step in preventing illness and disability is learning about health conditions in our families that may put us at increased risk for diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, some cancers, Alzheimer’s Disease, mental illness and many others,” said Dr. Regina Benjamin, United States Surgeon General. “Discussing health information with other members of your family can often uncover conditions and explanations for health problems which you never knew about, simply because no one ever asked.”
She suggests that people use My Family Health Portrait, a free secure tool is secure that takes about 20 minutes. Information can be shared with other family members who may not be home for Thanksgiving. Families can update and share information at any time.
The website creates a personalized “family health tree” that can be saved to your home computer and the information remains private.
Take a few minutes to have important health conversations with first-line family as well as cousins, aunts, uncles. Be sure to engage older relatives who may know additional family history.
A family history will enable your health provider to recommend specific tests or treatment plans to prevent or delay disease.
Benjamin said, "Learning your family’s health history is a valuable investment to make in your health and your family’s health.”
