Top 10 Reasons to Use Family History

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Top 10 Reasons to Use Family History
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10 You already use family history

• You just dont realize it!
• Data and surveys
• Handouts and brochures
• Presentations
• Doctor visits

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9 Its a simple and powerful genomic tool
Genes
Family History
Behavior/Culture
Environment
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8 Everyone has a family history of something
diabetes
allergies
blue eyes
high blood pressure
acne
leanness
high cholesterol
osteoporosis
red hair
height
athleticism
curly hair
obesity
stroke
emphysema
depression
heart disease
asthma
cancer
arthritis
kidney disease
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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 199771315-24.
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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!

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6 Its 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

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5 Knowing your family history could save your
life
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• You cant 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.

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4 We say its important

• 96 said it was important to their health
• But only 30 have collected health information
  from their families

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3 We like it, we love it, and we cant 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 http//www.fhsa.org/genealogy_month.htm
  and http//myfamily.mediaroom.com/index.php?spres
  s_releasesitem32

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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!)

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1 Everyones 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

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Top 10 Reasons to Use Family History
1. Everyones doing it
2. New tools make it easy to do
3. We like it, we love it, and we cant get
enough of it
4. We say its important
5. Knowing your family history could save your
life
6. Its cost effective
7. Utah is a leader in family history research
8. Everyone has a family history of something
9. Its a simple and powerful genomic tool
10. You already use family history
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Resources

• Chronic Disease Genomics Programhttp//health.uta
  h.gov/genomics
• US Surgeon General Family History
  Initiativehttp//www.hhs.gov/familyhistory/
• CDC Office of Genomics and Disease
  Preventionhttp//www.cdc.gov/genomics
• National Coalition for Health Professional
  Education in Geneticshttp//nchpeg.org

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Contact

• Jenny JohnsonUtah Department of HealthChronic
  Disease Genomics ProgramPhone
  801-538-9416Email jennyjohnson_at_utah.gov
  Website http//health.utah.gov/genomics