Genomics and Health
Diseases, Genetics, and Family History
Use this page as a handy resource for more information about disease, genetics, and family history, updated on a regular basis.
![three women](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017174052im_/http://www.cdc.gov/genomics/resources/file/images/bc_ovar.jpg)
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women. Ovarian cancer is less common.
![Dad with kids on a hammock](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017174052im_/http://www.cdc.gov/genomics/update/file/images/spotlight/spot_colon_cancer_sm.jpg)
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in the United States.
![African-American family](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017174052im_/http://www.cdc.gov/genomics/resources/file/images/month_nov_fh.jpg)
Having a close family member with a chronic disease, such as cancer, coronary heart disease, or diabetes can increase your risk of developing that disease.
![image of heart and objects in cubes](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017174052im_/http://www.cdc.gov/genomics/update/file/images/spotlight/spot_heart_sm.jpg)
Heart disease is the leading cause of death and a major cause of disability in the United States.
![grandmother and son](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017174052im_/http://www.cdc.gov/genomics/update/file/images/spotlight/2010_07_hemochromatosis_sm.jpg)
Hemochromatosis is an iron storage disorder that can cause the body to absorb too much iron from foods and other sources, such as vitamins with iron.
![teacher with students in classroom](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017174052im_/http://www.cdc.gov/genomics/update/file/images/spotlight/spot_mental_sm.jpg)
Mental disorders are real, disabling health conditions that have an immense impact on individuals and families in the United States and internationally.
![scale](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017174052im_/http://www.cdc.gov/genomics/resources/file/images/obesity.jpg)
Obesity is a major health hazard worldwide and is associated with several relatively common diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and some cancers.
![two people with hats](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017174052im_/http://www.cdc.gov/genomics/update/file/images/spotlight/spot_skincancer_sm2.jpg)
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Most skin cancers are caused by exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun.
![elderly couple](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017174052im_/http://www.cdc.gov/genomics/resources/file/images/elders.jpg)
Stroke is the third leading cause of death and a major cause of disability in the United States.
Contact Us:
- CDC-INFO Contact Center
Phone: 800-232-4636 (800-CDC-INFO)
Hearing Impaired: 888-232-6348 - cdcinfo@cdc.gov
- Additional information for Public Health Genomics is available on our contact page.