For Immediate Release:
November 14, 2006

Contact:
Nanci Gonder
Office of Public Information
573-751-6062

Governor Blunt designates November as Missouri Family History Month

Gov. Matt Blunt has declared the month of November as Family History Month in Missouri, and encourages all Missourians to learn more about the diseases and causes of death affecting at least three generations of family members.

Family gatherings, such as holidays, are a great time to catch up on family news and to learn about your family’s health history, according to Julie Eckstein, Director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Mapping your family’s medical history and creating a medical family tree can help you identify some health risks you may face in the years ahead and help you plan for them.

“Family health histories should be provided to all health care providers to be retained as a permanent part of a patient’s medical file.This information can help health care providers do a better job of assessing a patient’s risk of disease and prescribe appropriate preventive measures or courses of treatment,” Eckstein said.

In 2004, then U.S. Surgeon General Carmona declared Thanksgiving Day, when American families traditionally gather together to celebrate and give thanks, to be the first annual National Family History Day. Americans are encouraged to use their family gatherings as a time to collect important family health history information that can benefit all family members.

Family history is considered one of the most important risk factors for health problems such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer and certain psychiatric disorders.Family members share more than genetic characteristics. They also share environments, lifestyles and personal habits.  All these components can be factors for disease. Knowing the risk of certain diseases can motivate individuals to change any unhealthy behaviors.

To view a video on “How to Complete a Family Health History” and download a “Family Health History” form go to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services web page http://www.dhss.mo.gov/FamilyHistory/. A Spanish version of a family health history is available at https://familyhistory.hhs.gov/spanish/index.cfm.