What You Can Do

Know Your Health Risks

Your health is shaped by heredity, environment and lifestyle choices. Simple steps you take can make a difference in your health and the quality of your life.

Many diseases (or the susceptibility to acquire a disease) are determined by heredity. That’s why it’s important to put together a family health history document to help you get a handle on potential health risks.

Include the following information about each person:

• Full legal name, date of birth, location of birth
• Relationship to you ( brother, mother, paternal grandmother, etc)
• Ethnic background (ancestry or country of origin)
• Health history including:
  • Type of health problem or disease
  • How old the person was when the illness first developed
  • If deceased, age at death

The Centers for Disease Control report chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and arthritis cause major limitations in daily living for 1 of every 10 Americans and account for more than 70% of dollars spent on health care each year in the United States.

Education is key in preventing and controlling chronic disease.

For more information:

• Visit the Health Centers at Healthy Living
• Learn about Disease Management Programs
• CDC Website
• Make wise lifestyle choices