It’s Not Just Thanksgiving…It’s Family Health History Day

I have to say Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays.  It is less commercialized than other holidays and an American tradition that we all celebrate, no matter our religion or background. It’s a day to enjoy the aroma of the turkey roasting and sweet potatoes baking as we sit down to the feast with our loved ones.

In addition to savoring a delicious meal and spending time with family and friends, Thanksgiving is National Family Health History Day. Declared in 2004 by the U.S. Surgeon General, it is a day to take some time to get some family health history from relatives you might not see as often. November is also National Family History Month. 

Gathering familial health history information doesn’t have to be time-consuming.  In just a few minutes, we can ask a relative about conditions that run in our families, such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, as well as rare diseases like cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia.

Knowing this information can make a difference in our health and the health of our kids or grandkids. We can identify any potential health conditions early and take steps for additional screenings or lifestyle changes that may help us reduce our own risk. The Family Health Portrait Tool is an easy-to-use online tool to help us organize our family history. It can be saved online and printed for our doctor or family members.  Please take a few minutes to check out the My Family Health Portrait Tool to gain valuable health information for you and your family.