MATC Matters

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services provides a great family health history website that allows you to input your family history and print reports based on your information. You also can save the online version to your computer and make additions or changes at a later time. A PDF version (PDF: 232KB) also is available for your convenience.

FAQs from the Department of Health & Human Services

Why is it important to know my family health history?
Family members share their genes, as well as their environment, lifestyles and habits. A family health history helps identify people at increased risk for disease because it reflects both a person’s genes and these other shared risk factors. Knowing your family health history can help your doctor or other health professional predict your risk for developing diseases and help you make changes to reduce your risk.

How can knowing my family health history help lower my risk of disease?
You can’t change your genes, but you can change behaviors that affect your health, such as smoking, inactivity and poor eating habits. People with a personal or family history of chronic disease may have the most to gain from making lifestyle changes. In many cases, making healthy changes can reduce your risk of disease even if you have already had the disease or if the disease runs in your family.

Another change you can make is to participate in screening tests, such as mammograms and colorectal cancer screening, for early detection of disease. Screening tests can also detect disease risk factors like elevated cholesterol and blood pressure, which can be treated to reduce the chances of developing additional health problems. People who have a family history of a chronic disease may benefit the most from screening tests that look for risk factors or early signs of disease. Finding disease early, before symptoms appear, can mean better health in the long run.

What should I do with the family health information that I collect?
After you collect and record the information about your family health history, you should share it with your doctor or health professional. Remember to keep your information updated, share it with your siblings and children and pass it on to your children so that they too will have a family health history record.

Visit the Dept of Health & Human Services website for more FAQs.

This information is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Please consult your physician with any concerns you might have regarding this information.

If you have questions, contact Cindi Rutten, Employee Health & Wellness coordinator at 243-4133.