WASHINGTON (AP) - Some tips on creating family health histories, from the government and genetic specialists:
_Start with information about your own health and that of your parents, children and siblings. Then add grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins from both sides of the family.
_Include a range of health conditions, from heart disease and cancer to arthritis and problems during pregnancies.
_Ask about the age when health problems arose, and the cause and age of death for deceased relatives.
_If possible, ask follow-up questions such as whether a heart attack was preceded by treatment for high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
_Include lifestyle information, such as family eating and exercise habits, where people live, common occupations.
_Update information as new illnesses are diagnosed and the family grows.
_Respect that some relatives may not want to share their health history.
_If your children and grandchildren don’t ask, offer your information.
“If you’re a grandparent, a family health history is a gift you can give to your grandchildren,” says James O’Leary of the nonprofit Genetic Alliance.
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Online:
Surgeon General’s My Family Health Portrait: https://familyhistory.hhs.gov and for getting-started info, https://www.hhs.gov/familyhistory/
Genetic Alliance “Does It Run The Family” Campaign: https://www.geneticalliance.org
American Society of Human Genetics: https://www.talkhealthhistory.org/
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