The U.S. Surgeon General's Family History Initiative
My Family Health Portrait
My Family Health Portrait is the Web-based tool from NHGRI and the U.S. Surgeon General's Family History Initiative that helps you create your own family health history. Using any computer, an Internet connection and an up-to-date Web browser, you provide your health information to build a drawing of your family tree and a chart of your family health history. Both the chart and the drawing can be printed and shared with your family members and your doctor.
Tracing the illnesses suffered by your parents, grandparents and other blood relatives can help your doctor predict the disorders to which you may be at risk, and help you take action to keep you and your family healthy.
Go to: My Family Health Portrait [familyhistory.hhs.gov]
En Español: Retrato de Salud de mi Familia [familyhistory.hhs.gov/spanish]
About The Family History Initiative
In November 2004 - and to coincide with Thanksgiving, when families traditionally gather - U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona, M.D., M.P.H., and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) launched a national public health campaign called the U.S. Surgeon General's Family History Initiative. The campaign focused attention on the importance of the family health history, and encouraged all families to learn more about their health histories. To help with this, the initiative launched My Family Health Portrait: a downloadable tool for use on a personal computer to complete a family health history.
One year later, in November 2005, U.S. Surgeon General Carmona furthered this initiative by launching the new, easier-to-use Web-based tool, My Family Health Portrait.
- U.S. Surgeon General's Family History Initiative [hhs.gov]
Information about the Family History Initiative
Family History Initiative News
2008
- Family History Demonstration Projects
Community-based organizations and academic institutions tasked to create a model education program and supportive materials to educate and engage the community about the use of Family History in health care, funded by NHGRI's Education and Community Involvement Branch.
2007
- Watch Family History: A Window On Your Health
A conversation with NHGRI Director, Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D. about the importance of family history. Interviewed by Dr. Greg Feero, chief of NHGRI's Genomic Healthcare Branch. - Acting Surgeon General Encourages Americans to Know Their Health History During Fourth Annual Family History Day [surgeongeneral.gov]
News Release from the Department of Health and Human Services - Family History: Everyone's Story
The National Human Genome Research Institute, in cooperation with the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General, has created a series of five public service announcements for health care providers. The announcements feature stories about how increased healthcare provider family history knowledge can improve the health of all Americans. These announcements are now available here for download and distribution. They were created in support of National Family History Day - Thanksgiving 2007. - Do You Know Maria? Family History of Breast Cancer
¿Conoce Usted a María? Historial Familiar de Cáncer de Pecho [En Español]
- Do You Know Tony? Family History of Colorectal Cancer
¿Conoce Usted a Tony? Historial Familiar de Cáncer Colorrectal [En Español]
- Do You Know Vanessa? Family History of Diabetes
¿Conoce Usted a Vanessa? Historial Familiar de Diabetes [En Español]
- Do You Know Jim? Family History of Heart Disease
¿Conoce Usted a Jim? Historial Familiar de Enfermedad Cardiaca [En Español]
- Do You Know Tracy and David? Prenatal Care and Genetics
¿Conoce Usted a Tracy y David? Cuidado Prenatal y Genética [En Español]
2006
- New Family Health History Projects Focus on Alaska Native, Appalachian Communities
News Release: Redesign of Web-based tool, My Family Health Portrait, November 15, 2006.
2005
- U.S. Surgeon General Urges Spanish-Speaking Americans To Know Their Family Health History
News Release: Launch of the Web-based tool, My Family Health Portrait, in Spanish. February 28, 2006. En Español - U.S. Surgeon General Urges Americans To Know
Their Family Health History
News Release: Launch of the Web-based tool, My Family Health Portrait, November 15, 2005 - Family History Press Conference
Press conference held at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, launching the My Family Health Portrait Web-based tool.
2004
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The Family History: More Important Than Ever [nejm.org]
Commentary from NHGRI Director Francis S. Collins, Deputy Director Alan E. Guttmacher and U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona in the New England Journal of Medicine. - HHS Launches New Family History Initiative
The launch of the Family History Initiative and the downloadable version of My Family Health Portrait, November 8, 2004. - Family History Initiative Press Conference
The press conference held at the Nationl Press Club to launch the Family History Initiative, November 8, 2004.
Additional Family History Resources
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Last Updated: September 26, 2011