Top 10 Reasons to Use Family History

#10 You already use family history… You just don’t realize it! –Data and surveys –Handouts and brochures –Presentations –Doctor visits

#9 It’s a simple and powerful genomic tool Genes Behavior/ Culture Environment Family History

#8 Everyone has a family history of something stroke obesity high blood pressure curly hair height high cholesterol leanness acne diabetesallergiesblue eyes osteoporosis asthma red hair arthritis cancer kidney disease athleticism depression emphysema heart disease

Family history of common disease is common in the population Scheuner MT, Wang SJ, Raffel LJ, et al. Family history: a comprehensive genetic risk assessment method for the chronic conditions of adulthood. Am J Med genet 1997;71:

#7 Utah is a leader in family history research University of Utah Utah Population Database Huntsman Cancer Institute LDS Family History Library Family High Risk Program And finally … ALL OF US!

#6 It’s cost effective Family High Risk Program: –$10 per student –$27 per high risk family Think about this… –14% of families were high risk for CHD but they accounted for 72% of early CHD and 48% of all CHD in Utah

#5 Knowing your family history could save your life

You can’t change your genes but you can change your behaviors Does it work? –YES! Families said they got annual check ups, ate their fruits & veggies, had their blood pressure checked, and more.

#4 We say it’s important… 96 % said it was important to their health But only 30% have collected health information from their families

#3 We like it, we love it, and we can’t get enough of it One of the most popular hobbies in US 80 million are searching for information about their ancestors 15 million use the Internet each month to research their family history 60% of the US has an interest in family history Sources: and

#2 New tools make it easy to do Health Family Tree Ready by fall 2005 Pilot test with high schools students –Collects family history –Calculates risk –Personalized report –New curriculum (Thank You!)

#1 Everyone’s doing it US Surgeon General Family History Initiative –Thanksgiving Day is National Family History Day Centers for Disease Control and Prevention American Medical Association American Academy of Family Physicians

Top 10 Reasons to Use Family History 1. Everyone’s doing it 2. New tools make it easy to do 3. We like it, we love it, and we can’t get enough of it 4. We say it’s important … 5. Knowing your family history could save your life 6. It’s cost effective 7. Utah is a leader in family history research 8. Everyone has a family history of something 9. It’s a simple and powerful genomic tool 10. You already use family history

Resources Chronic Disease Genomics Program US Surgeon General Family History Initiative CDC Office of Genomics and Disease Prevention National Coalition for Health Professional Education in Genetics

Contact Jenny Johnson Utah Department of Health Chronic Disease Genomics Program Phone: Website: