HHS HealthBeat (November 22, 2007)

So how’s the family?

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Thanksgiving is when the relatives show up, and everybody gets caught up on all the family doings. And that often includes who’s been sick, with what.

And that, says Acting Surgeon General Steven Galson, could be more than just a conversation. Dr. Galson has declared this Thanksgiving the fourth annual National Family History Day – as in family medical history:

``Listing family members’ diseases can make people aware they might have genes that give them a higher risk for those diseases. And keeping track of their health habits, such as smoking or not exercising, could help family members make changes that reduce their risk of disease.’’ (17 seconds)

The Surgeon General’s Office has information to help you learn about family history, and a Web tool to help you create one.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: May, 26 2008