The Genome Book
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November 21st, 2009
Thanksgiving Menu: turkey, green beans, pumpkin pie, medical records
Medical records?
In 2004, the U.S. Surgeon General declared Thanksgiving as Family History Day. What better time to learn about the health history of your family than when so many members are gathered?
We tend to think of genetics as high tech (and often expensive), but a family health history is a simple, low-cost activity that could become one of the most powerful tools in your personalized medicine tool box.
Now in its fifth year, this government website is considering some exiting additions that may make its digital family history tools even more useful.
Go to https://familyhistory.hhs.gov and explore the site. In less than 5 minutes, you can outline most of your first and second degree relatives and enter your own health information. Then you can share the saved files with extended family members to complete information about themselves.
Before you start asking personal health questions of family members, be prepared to explain why. Throughout The Genome Book, we review the inherited components of many conditions, some of which may run in your family. And know that not everyone will want to respond when everyone is sitting around the table; some may prefer to talk later by phone or email. A few may not even want to respond at all, feeling this is information best shared only with a physician. As more family information becomes available, the ‘hold outs’ may realize their health status may be essential and they may better understand the need to share – or it may not have been relevant.
Also, select your timing. “Uncle Charlie, please pass the potatoes, oh – and how was your colonoscopy?” could stop your effort in its tracks. However, by letting family members know you want to start this as a new family tradition, they may come more prepared to share. The health history can be collected this year and quickly updated every Thanksgiving when the family gathers.
As a genetic counselor in practice for thirty years, I figure that I’ve helped more than 6,500 people compile or understand their family health histories. While I may not have seen it all, I’ve certainly seen a lot. So if you have any questions, please let me know by sending an email to the address on our blog’s home page or posting a comment.
Categories: Chapter 2: Reading Your Genes, Uncategorized
ANDYJuly 21, 2010
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